Aledo Alum here, so, a few thoughts... as a HS coach, these are the things that make Aledo, ALEDO.
Aledo has won at least one playoff game every year since 1996... think about that. I coach at a HS that has never won a playoff game! Not one, and we play in a district with Washington's small school version of Aledo, so I get to see life from the other side. Oh and our Conferences don't change from year to year, so we get to see the same two Semi-Finalist/State Finalist teams every year... EVERY YEAR!
So here is what Crosby has to overcome:
Aledo's seniors have played in 23 playoff games, and their now 4th State Championship game...
On average over the past 20 years, these kids have played in 5 playoff games a year... think about how many extra practices those kids have had over the past 4 years, thats 24 weeks of extra practices. Or almost 2.5 extra seasons of football to get it right. I'm not even sure how to express how much of an advantage that gives a program. If you never make the playoffs, a HS kid gets 40 games over his career, these kids after Friday will have played in 64 games.
This means these kids were on the sidelines during the playoffs as freshman, and some of them got mop duty in blowouts, including that game 2 years ago. Every season they get more playoff reps, so they are used to being here, which is just a crazy thought.
The next challenge for Crosby is Aledo's athletes walk on the field expecting to win, and then they do. Thats not to say Crosby does not have a special group of athletes and coaches. You don't get to this game if you don't, but it's just different.
Challenges:
So Crosby has to travel, for Aledo it is virtually a home game, at a place they are used to winning big.
Crosby has to get over playing on the field with a big blue star on it.
Crosby has to see Aledo as just another game, because to Aledo they are the next one up. this is a huge one.
Three big gets, and that doesn't get into matchups.
I watched the Semi Final game and Crosby is dynamic and athletic, but I saw a lot of Barry Sanders type "make something happen" plays... that can't happen against Aledo.
Crosby has to get out of the blocks, and not let Aledo jump on them early or it will be a boat race.
I hope its a great game!