You could argue that the Kennedale Wildcats are so good this year that they not only skipped all the preseason stuff but all but one pre-district game too. But don’t try that on the coaching staff. While Kennedale is the favorite going into this game it is not based on proven experience for this year. This team has yet to be challenged.
In a normal year, Kennedale would have one or two scrimmage games against other established programs and at least three regular-season games against non-district opponents. Last year they played Decatur, Midlothian Heritage, Alvarado and, Springtown before they started district play. For 4A play that is a murder’s row line-up. This year with no scrimmages, they play only one game before district, Sunnyvale, in this COVID shorten-season.
School of hard-knocks …
School for the Wildcats starts Friday night. The Wildcats starters, especially the 10 that will be starting for the first time, will be learning on every play from start to finish through the best teacher of all, experience. The coaches can just hope that all the practices they have had since mid-August will pay-off.
The Sunnyvale Raiders (0-2) have a two-game head start on Kennedale, and, although both games were losses they have had their initial baptism of fire. Last week the Raiders lost to Melissa 58-28 and in their first game lost to Waco Connally 46-25. It should be noted that Melissa was ranked #19 in Class 4A Division I, and Waco Connally was ranked #15 in Class 4A Division II.
About Sunnyvale …
Sunnyvale started the season as #7 in Class 4A Division II after finishing 12-1 and going three deep into the DII playoffs last year. Their only loss of the season came in regional play against Pleasant Grove, the eventual 4A DII state champion. The year before the Raiders were 9-1 finishing in the playoffs. For two straight years, they have been undefeated in district play. They are predicted to repeat as district champions. The Raiders did lose a number of starters, returning just 4 on offense and 5 on defense.
In 2019, the Raiders averaged 172 yards per game passing and rushed for an average of 249 yards. Kennedale by contrast averaged 51 yards by air and plowed 278 yards on the ground. Defenses will play a major role in this game.
This is the first meeting on the gridiron of the Kennedale Wildcats and the Sunnyvale Raiders. Game time Friday is 7:30 pm at Kennedale High School Wildcat Stadium.
What is being said about the game …
Dallas Morning News SportsDay has Kennedale ranked #2 in 4A area teams. SportsDay picks the Wildcats to win 35-21. The Star-Telegram dfwVarsity’s football prognosticators choose Kennedale to win by an 11-3 margin. The Star-Telegram does not have Kennedale ranked in their top ten list of area 4A and below teams.
