It turned out as predicted. The Wildcats (11-0) won going away in a bi-district win over Dallas Carter, 65-26 Friday night at Longhorn Stadium in Cedar Hill.It was tight in the beginning thanks, in part, to a couple of Wildcats fumbles. Tied after one quarter at 7, the Cats were ahead just by 3 at halftime 23-20 {{more}}when Carter put a final scare into the Wildcats as Bernard Goodwater went 74 yards on their first possession of the 2nd half to take the lead at 26-23. But, that would be the last time Carter would score, while Kennedale went on a 42 point spree.
Quardraiz Wadley scored a 75 yard touchdown but left early with a game ending ankle injury (Action Shots by Staci
Otts)
On paper it was a strong game for Kennedale. The Cats had 498 yards vs 238, 19 first downs to 10, averaged 8.6 yards per rush to 4.9, scoring 9 touchdowns and getting 2 safeties. Take away the 74 yard run on the 1st play of the second half by Carter?s, Carter netted only 26 more yards the rest of the game. The Cats walked away with another Bi-district title and another notch in their belt.
The stats and the record book were not the story of the game though. The Wildcats had two running back knocked out of the game and it remains questionable if either one will return. Star running back Quardriaz Wadley (Sr) went out early with an ankle injury followed later by his replacement, Darren Hull (Jr). The Cats did close ranks with Dailyn Wells (Sr) picking up 127 yards on 13 carries and 4 touchdowns and DJ Kirven (Fr) running for 159 yards on 13 carries and 4 touchdowns. Wadley did not go without making an impact, he charged up the crowd when he went 75 yards a kickoff return for a touchdown on Kennedale?s second possession of the game.
RB Darren Hull came in to replace injured Wadley but was knock out of the Carter game later (file photo Action Shots by Staci
Otts)
For Wadley, the answers come on Monday when x-rays will be done to determine the damage. Saturday morning, he was at practice but with a boot on his foot and watching from the sidelines. He may have a fractured bone, if that is the case, he will not see any more action this season. Hull spent a good part of the night in the ER with severely bruised ribs, very painful and something that will take time to heal.
Every game from this point on is a big game. There are no weak opponents. Whereas Kennedale was the team everyone was watching from this region, they may have lost their role as favorite.But, the day after, Head Coach Richard Barrett was still upbeat. He admits that he has some ?beat up? players as he called them. But as Barrett has said before, “It is what it is?when talking about football on any given Friday night. But, he still likes this team?s chances. “We are going to be alright.”
It may be on freshman running back DJ Kirven?s shoulders that the biggest burden falls. ?He did well, very well?, said Barrett referring to his role coming into the game in the second half and helping to secure the win. ?You know it wasn?t a surprise?, said Barrett. ?We know what he can do, its just he had never done it on the varsity level.?Kennedale is schedule for a return Area match against the Athens Hornets (8-3) at Lion Memorial Stadium at Ennis High School, 7:30 pm Friday night.
