Game time 7:30 p.m. Friday at Longhorn Stadium in Cedar Hill
The Kennedale Wildcats ranked #4 in Class 4A closed out the regular season last Saturday with a runaway 63-0 win over Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis. {{more}}
The Wildcats (10-0) secured an undefeated regular season for the first time ever for Head Coach and Athletic Director Richard Barrett and for the Kennedale High School football program. The Kennedale program dates back to 1956 and a 4-6 inaugural season record. This will also mark the 14th playoff appearance in 14 years for the Wildcats. UIL2014 Football Brackets
(click on Division 1 4A to find Kennedale)
49 points in first quarter
The Wildcats did it in a record breaking way, scoring 49 points in the 1st quarter alone. Kennedale scored on the second play of the game and kept on scoring just about ever third play. A “reigned-in” Cat offense and a running clock in the second half finished the game without further damage. The D-Cats got their 3rd shutout of the season in a game that star running back Juwan Washington never touched the ball.
Kennedale had 240 total yards with just 164 rushing yards on just 18 offense plays at 13.3 yards a carry. By the time Kennedale had run 8 plays the score was already 56-0. Special teams score three touchdowns but were responsible for more because of the short field position that the Wildcats had each time.
Meanwhile Diamond Hill (0-10) ran 42 rushing plays for just 68 yards at 1.6 yards a clip and 5 first downs.
Seniors led in the scoring parade with QB Jake Michener (Sr) scoring twice on 24 and 10 yard runs. RB Ronald Hayes (Sr) scored on a 27 yard run. Derrick Williams (Sr) scored on a 56 yard punt return. True Gibson (Sr) returned a block punt 4 yard for another touchdown. Isaiah Franklin (Sr) took a fumble recovery 3 yards and another score. And Zane Kottwitz (Sr) was 9 for 9 on extra points. Also, scoring were Quardriaz Wadley (Jr), Cody Gilliespie (So) and Dante Richardson (So) on runs of 34 yards, 16 yards and 56 yards respectively.
And then the first half was over
Defensively for the Wildcats DE Chris Rhinehardt (Sr) and DB Derrick Williams led the team with 12 tackles each, DE Colton Hall (So) had 11 followed by LB Taylor Thibeau (Sr), DE Richard Prickering (Sr) and DB A.J. Garcia (Sr) all with 7 tackles each. With 5 tackles each were Isaiah Franklin (Sr), Terik Rabb (Sr) and Brent Reed (Sr). With 3 tackles each were Henry Romero (Sr), Aaron Williams (Sr), Andrew Long (Jr) and Gjemar Daniels (So).
True Gibson is credited with an interception and a fumble recovery. Franklin, Thibeau and Rabb are also credited with fumble recoveries. Rabb caused 2 fumbles along with one by Williams.For the game Jake Michener was the MaxPrep Overall Player of the Game, Ronald Hayes was the Offensive Player and Terik Rabb was the Defensive Player.
Kennedale now enters the playoffs in a bi-district match with the fourth place finisher in District 6-4A, Dallas Wilmer-Hutchins. Hutchins (4-6, 2-3) finished the year with a win over Dallas Carter last week by a score of 27-21 in overtime.Athletic and capable of big plays
Hutchins is like Dallas Carter, who Kennedale played early in the year, athletic and capable of a big plays but who have trouble sustaining consistent play both on offense and defense.
Hutchins averages 172 rushing yards, 131 passing and 24 points per game. Kennedale averages 400 rushing yards, 37 yards passing and 55 points per game. Hutchins has allowed an average of 25 points while Kennedale has allowed an average of 11 points per game.
In short, expect Hutchins to break some long runs or complete a few passes for big gains but score few if any points. Defensively, they are also capable of some big stops and a few losses but should not be able to control the line or stop Kennedale?s power offense.A #4 seed has to believe anything is possibleWhat Kennedale has to guard against is a taking this game for granted. A #4 seed against a #1 seed has to believe anything is possible.
Game time is 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 14 at Longhorn Stadium in Cedar Hill. Directionsto Longhorn Stadium
Weather ? cold.
