Two dominant backs in Jayshon Gibson and Kaden Winkfield are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. The Richland Royals will welcome the Aledo Bearcats at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.
Richland is headed into the contest after thoroughly thrashing Granbury: they outscored them in every quarter. The Royals were the clear victors by a 63-40 margin over the Pirates on Friday. The final result isn't all that surprising considering the Royals' considerable advantage in MaxPreps' Texas football rankings (they are ranked 107th, while the Pirates are ranked 494th).
Brett Kates
| 10/17/25 @ Granbury | 157.5 |
| 08/29/25 @ Haltom | 152.5 |
| 10/04/24 vs Fossil Ridge | 135.4 |
| 10/03/25 @ Fossil Ridge | 125.7 |
| 09/20/24 vs Brewer | 121.5 |
Brett Kates had another great game (as he tends to do), throwing for 269 yards and three TDs while completing 76.5% of his passes, and also rushing for 42 yards and one touchdown. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in passer rating (157.5). Richland's leading receiver Aaron Brooks was Kates' top target yet again, picking up 116 receiving yards and a pair of scores.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Richland was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 290 rushing yards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Granbury only rushed for 179.
Richland didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Jacob Martinez and Bryson Johnson.
Meanwhile, Aledo strolled into their game last Friday with a perfect record and they left with the same. They really took it to Granbury for the full four quarters, racking up a 61-0 victory. The matchup was all but wrapped up at the end of the third, by which point the Bearcats had established a 51-point advantage.
Richland better keep an eye on Lincoln Tubbs. He was instrumental in Aledo's win, throwing for 128 yards and one TD while completing 75% of his passes, and also punching in one touchdown on the ground. Nash Mcelree was another key player, rushing for 16 yards and one score.
Richland's win bumped their record up to 6-2. As for Aledo, their victory bumped their record up to 7-0.
Friday's game might be decided on the ground. Richland has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 228.5 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Aledo struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 229.3 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Richland couldn't quite get it done against Aledo in their previous meeting back in October of 2024 as they fell 49-42. Will the Royals have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more football content.
