Recap: Day 3 at the Texas high school football championships

5A Division I State Championship: Aledo 49, Temple 45

What went down:

Aledo, a team that’s essentially lived at the Texas state championships since 2009, took on Temple, a school with eight state championship appearances, but playing in its first since 1992. Temple appeared up to the task early, scoring on two of its first three drives to jump to a 14-7 lead. But Aledo had an answer to each score, and went on a 21-3 run to close out the half and hold a 35-17 lead at the break. Temple rallied in the second half, and with 5:50 left in the game, finally took the lead back 45-42 on a juggling circus catch by Jordan Lee. Showing the poise of a program that’s won four state titles in the previous five seasons, Aledo went on a 13 play, 75-yard drive that was capped by quarterback Luke Bishop’s six-yard, diving touchdown run. The go-ahead score gave Temple less than a minute to come back, and the Wildcats couldn’t do it, with Baylor QB commit Chad President’s Hail Mary intercepted by Bishop as time expired, sending a sea of black screaming onto the field to celebrate.

Name to know: 

Ever since Aledo became a constant presence at state championship games, the Bearcats have been led by a wicked quarterback-running back tandem. Back in 2009, it was Matt Bishop and now-Texas running back Jonathan Gray. This time it was Luke Bishop and UTSA commit Jess Anders. Bishop took Offensive Player of the Game honors with 122 passing yards and two touchdowns, and ran for a staggering 196 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score. Anders ran for 108 yards and two scores, and caught two passes for 40 yards and a score. Both seniors ended their careers on the highest of notes.

It was awesome because:

A shootout is about as fun as it gets, but when it includes a crazy play that ends with a catch like this – and for a touchdown, no less – you can only shake your head.

6A Division II State Championship: Cedar Hill 23, Katy 20

What went down:

Defense made an unexpected appearance after the previous five contests averaged a combined points total of 83 per game. Cedar Hill jumped on the board first with a safety, but struggled to muster any kind offensive points despite having two of the state's best players in receiver Damarkus Lodge, a Texas A&M commit until recently opening his recruitment back up, and running back Aca’Cedric Ware, a USC commit. Instead, it was Katy running back Rodney Anderson, an Oklahoma commit, that steadily pounded the ball against a bruising Cedar Hill defense. A couple of Kris Perez field goals, along with an Anderson score made it 13-2 at the break. Cedar Hill had a response ready in the second half, forcing a Katy punt and then answering with a 26-yard touchdown pass from LSU commit Justin McMillan to Lodge. A two point conversion made it 13-10. Anderson fumbled away a promising drive, and a few plays later, Lodge pulled in a 61-yard touchdown pass. A huge kickoff return by Hunter Sury set up a three-yard touchdown run by Anderson, and it was fully game-on as the Tigers led 20-17. Cedar Hill kicker Brooks Ralph banged through an impressive 44-yard field goal to tie the game at 20 with 8:30 left in the contest. But it wasn’t until there were six seconds left that Ralph would return to the field with a chance to win the game. He nailed his chance from 26 yards out to give Cedar Hill the title in its third straight meeting with Katy for the crown.

Name to know: 

In a game full of DI recruits, Lodge stood out as the big play threat. His two long scores all but carried his team through its biggest ruts, and put his field goal kicker in position to secure the crown. Lodge has been the source of some recruiting controversy, committing to Texas A&M, then de-committing and declaring that he would announce his new top three schools after this title game. (If your head is spinning, we don't blame you.) Regardless, the playmaking ability Lodge possesses is something any college program would covet, and he couldn’t have picked a better stage to show it off.

It was awesome because:

Aside from an announced attendance of 46,289, the biggest crowd of the weekend to that point, it was also the fifth straight game this weekend that was close into the fourth quarter, and the sixth overall. Not a bad number out of 10 for the casual fan. Less fun for supporters of each team. But the atmosphere was incredible from start to finish.

6A Division I State Championship: Allen 47, Cy Ranch 16

What went down:

Allen was all but a consensus favorite to dominate and claim its third straight state title, and despite a slow start, the Eagles overwhelmed a very strong Cy Ranch team. Both teams completed the first quarter locked up at 7-7, but a touchdown run by Keon Williams and a 17-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to Kerry Hall helped give Allen a 21-10 lead at halftime. The second half was all Allen. Murray threw three more touchdown passes, as the Eagles’ offense piled on while their defense held Cy Ranch at bay (turnovers also hampered any chance Cy Ranch had in the game). It was complete domination, and the coronation of the kings of Texas’ biggest conference and division for the last three years.

Name to know: 

This was Murray’s farewell to Texas prep football, and just like all of this other performances, he more than lived up to the hype. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 317 yards and five touchdowns. Will his Texas A&M commitment stick? The Aggies sure hope so.

It was awesome because:

Well, because it was 10 games in three days in the state where football is a way of life, and it ended with the biggest and baddest team of the bunch pulling off its biggest feat yet.

Here’s the full schedule from the weekend. The games were played in order of smallest schools to the biggest.

Thursday, December 18
10 a.m. — 2A Division II State Championship: Bremond 28, Albany 21
1 p.m. — 2A Division I State Championship: Canadian 34, Mason 7
5 p.m. — 3A Division II State Championship: Waskom 41, Newton 22
8 p.m. — 3A Division I State Championship: Cameron Yoe 70, Mineola 40

Friday, December 19
12 p.m. — 4A Division II State Championship: Gilmer 35, West Orange-Stark 25
4 p.m. — 4A Division I State Championship: Navasota 42, Argyle 35 (2 OT)
8 p.m. — 5A Division II State Championship: Ennis 38, Cedar Park 35

Saturday, December 20
12 p.m. — 5A Division I State Championship: Aledo 49, Temple 45
4 p.m. — 6A Division II State Championship: Cedar Hill 23, Katy 20
8 p.m. — 6A Division I State Championship: Allen 47, Cy Ranch 16

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Max Thompson is at the Texas state high school football championships for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter! Follow @MaxThompson