Eleven Years in the Making ? Wildcat Soccer Playoffs

Photos by Action

Shots by Staci Otts

This year, for the first time ever, both the girls and boys soccer programs are in the playoffs. The LadyKats (17-2-2) as district champion have a bye this week. The Wildcats (12-9-3) face off against Dallas Faith Family at Wildcat Stadium starting at 6 p.m. tonight. {{more}}

The soccer program is the last major sport for Kennedale High School not to have reached the playoff level … but it was the last sport added. The genesis of the KHS Soccer program was in 2003-04. There had been pressure for the school district to create a program for several years but numbers, funding and competitors were lacking.

 

… there was no 3A division for Kennedale to play

When it was started under Coach Brad Horton for the Wildcats and Coach Ashley Coffman for the LadyKats, there was no 3A division for Kennedale to play. There were only a handful of 3A schools in the whole of Texas that even offered the program. It was out of the question that Kennedale would be able to compete on an equal basis. Kennedale?s district would be schools in a higher division most with well-established programs.

Kennedale?s soccer skills have significantly improved over the years

… kids grew up playing soccer in Arlington, Mansfield or Fort Worth

Kennedale was not known for soccer at the time the program was started. Kids from Kennedale that played grew up playing in neighboring Arlington, Mansfield or Fort Worth in youth leagues or select ball. In those early years for Kennedale most players only started playing organized soccer in high school. This put them way behind players in other schools and put the team and the coach at a distinct disadvantage.

Coaches in all sports know that a really successful high school program depends on kids who not only played in their earlier years but continue to play and develop in the off-season while in high school. Kennedale now has players that for them soccer is their sport of choice. They love playing and they play often in and out of school.

 

The KHS LadyKats have emerged from the shadows of 5A teams to be a 4A power

… 2014 LadyKats finished as a region quarter-finalist

 

The LadyKats program has had early success with a few star players but they have really become an area/regional player in the last couple of years and a state power when UIL established a third division, putting Kennedale on a level playing field. The 2014 LadyKats finished as a region quarter finalist and as the only 3A team to reach that level. This year after storming through district play undefeated, the Kats are scheduled to play an area round game against Argyle Friday, April 3 at 4:00 pm at HEB Pennington Field. Kennedale, in a playoff warm-up game on Monday, beat 5A Mansfield 4-0.

The KHS Wildcats with a core of seniors who have survive the tough times

… expectations are high for this first ever playoff game

 

In the Bi-district round playoff game this Friday against Family Faith, the Wildcats expectations are high for this first ever playoff game for the boys. Last year the Cats finished 7-11-5 in a 5A district but showed real potential. This year started with disappointment with early season injuries to key starters but the team recovered to finish tied with Alvarado with the second best record in the district (12-9-3, 4-3-1). Because of the point differential in games played with Alvarado, Kennedale finished third. Fort Worth Diamond Hill swept district play with an 8-0 record.

Head Soccer Coach Michael Strange in the middle of the playoffs and planning region host duties

… hosting the UIL Region 1&3 finals beginning April 10-11

 

In another first for Kennedale in any major sport, Kennedale High School will host the UIL Region 1&3 finals beginning April 10-11 for both girls and boys.

 

The LadyKats are coached by Head Coach Michael Strange and Assistant Jena Wood. The Wildcats are also coached by Head Coach Michael Strange with Assistant George Griffin.