The Kennedale Wildcats (4-3, 2-0) coasted to a 63-0 win on Friday night but now must face their most serious challenger in district play this Friday, when the Cats play the Mineral Wells Rams (6-1, 2-0). {{more:Read more …}}
Currently, Kennedale is ranked #15 in MaxPreps ratings while Mineral Wells is ranked #18. Kennedale was the consensus pre-season choice to win District 5-7A this year but has experienced some bumps in the road. Mineral Wells was also a consensus pick for second place. Both teams have eliminated the third place pick, Springtown, so the showdown is here between the top two.
How do you judge this match-up?
- Overall record goes to Mineral Wells at 6-1 with Kennedale at 4-3.
- Strength of schedule goes to Kennedale with opposing teams having a combined winning percentage of .571. The Cats? schedule so far included two 5A teams along with five 4A teams, three of those ranked in the top 20 and one ranked as the #1 team in Class 4A (#1 West Orange-Stark, #10 Alvarado, #16 Terrell). Mineral Wells opponents have a combined winning percentage of .431. The Rams? schedule has included two 3A teams along with five 4A teams with two teams ranked in the top 20 (#7 Iowa Park, #19 Decatur).
- Common opponent – there has been only one common opponent, Springtown, with Kennedale winning at home 47-0 and Mineral Wells winning on the road 42-18. This one goes to the Wildcats. Kennedale dominated Springtown from the beginning allowing just 48 yards passing and 38 yards rushing for a total of 76 yards. Against Mineral Wells, Springtown had 144 yards passing and 168 yards rushing for a total of 312 yards.
Mineral Wells does have the home field advantage this week and would like to avenge two years of losses to the Wildcats in 2012 & 13, the last time, the two were in the same district. The Rams are aiming for their first district title in six years. Kennedale is playing for a chance to win a 5th consecutive district title.
Friday night blow-out ?
There is not much to say about the Friday night vs Diamond Hill win except that it was total. But, hats off to the seriously over-matched Diamond Hill team that never quit.
The final score was 63-0 with all the points coming in the first half. Kennedale never made a first down in the first half but never needed one, scoring in three plays or less on each of its possessions. The last half was played with a running clock and with 8 minute quarters.
Kennedale had 267 yards in rushing (11.6 ave) and 85 passing (7/8). Scoring on the ground for Kennedale was Jalen Myers (So) with two TD who was followed with a TD apiece by Evan Jowers (So), David Roper (Jr) and Jaden Knowles (Jr). Aaron Rhinehart (Sr) and Evan Jowers (So) each threw for a touchdown and Zach Sisemore (Sr) and De’shaun Kirven (So) had a TD by reception. De?shaun Kirven added a 2 point rushing conversion. Kevin Tiero kicked for 7 points by going 7-8 on PAT kicks.
Baron Browning (Sr) led in tackles with 7 followed by Kade Stephenson (So) 6, Aaron Williams (Sr) 6, Ricardo Pena (Jr) 5, Michael Landers (Sr) 5, Mayfield Hayes (Jr) 3 and Dez Kindles (Sr) 3. Both Jaden Smith (So) and Devan Mason (Jr) had an interception. Avion Jenkins (Jr), Jakahri Stafford (Jr) and Josh Vaughn recovered fumbles.More on Mineral Wells later this week …
