Last Friday night was the opening game of the regular season for the Kennedale Wildcat football team. Coaches always hope for the best but know that almost all teams are a “work in progress” early in the season. It is the rare team that comes into a season knowing that they are destined to win. Kennedale has had its share of those teams, but other seasons have more often been a toss-up. Well, this may be one of those toss-up season.
Game summary …
The Kennedale Wildcats spotted the La Vega Pirates 14 points in the first. The Wildcats scored their first points with a field goal in the 2nd quarter but then allowed the Pirates 10 more points in the same quarter. The halftime score was 24 -3. La Vega scored another touchdown in the 3rd while Kennedale went scoreless. The Wildcats came back to score two touchdowns in the 4th (both extra-point attempts failed). However, the Cats could not apply the brakes on the Pirates who scored 14 additional points to bring the final score to 45-15.
Team and individual stats …
Riley Bingham (Jr) stood out with 78 yards in rushing carries for a 9.8 average plus 71 in return yards and a touchdown. Jackson Hammond came next with 55 yards and a touchdown. Justin Woodard (Sr) ended the game with 48 yards. The team total was 248 yards. Austin Theile (Sr) contributed to the total with 96 yards on 5 kick-off returns and a 19.2 average.
Kennedale fumbled three times but lost only one.
Lance Pate (Sr) was 1 for 1 on field goals (47 total yards) and punted 5 times for 211 yards with a 42.0 average. Austin Thiele contributed 1 punt for 31 yards.
On defense, Gavin Godley (Jr) led in tackles with 8 followed by Tyler Greenfield (Sr) with 5 along with 4 each by DJ Darjean (Sr) and Trey Smith (Jr). Godley and Barron Miranda (So) each recorded a sack. Mitchell McBroom (Sr) recovered a fumble while Trey Smith (Jr) had two pass defenses.
Reserve judgment…
It has been no surprise for those who know Coach Barrett that he loves the challenge of a work-in-progress team. Long ago he decided that it is the district results that count. For the benefit of the polls, you need to win early and often but for the playoffs, you need to run the table on district teams. Barrett hopes for the former but plans for the latter.
Another upcoming road game with a ranked opponent …
For Kennedale, it is back to the fundamentals in preparation to play the Aubrey Chaparrals on Friday, September 6 at 7:30 pm.
More on that game later this week.
