Connections & similiarities Wylie vs Kennedale
The year was 1986. The Merkel Badgers were facing off against the Abilene Wylie Bulldogs.Merkel?s quarterback was a freshman starting on the varsity squad. On the Wylie side, the head coach was beginning his first job as a head coach. {{more:Read more …}}
Wylie backstory …
While Abilene Wylie is a little older than Kennedale, starting a program in 1944. It had a smattering of good teams such as a 28-2 record over the 1949-51 seasons but it was in its latter years that Wylie has established itself as a football power. Overall, it has a 448-308-20 record through the 2015 season.
But back in 1986, Wylie was about to start a new era with a new coach. The coach?s name was Hugh Sandifer and the Merkel freshman quarterback was Kenneth Jowers. Wylie won that game 21-8. The next year as a sophomore, Jowers quarterbacked the team to 34-14 win over Wylie.
Wildcat Offensive Coordinator Kenneth Jowers and son QB Evan Jowers
Flash forward to 2016, Kenneth Jowers is the Wildcat Offensive Coordinator for the Kennedale Wildcats and his son, sophomore Evan Jowers, is the starting quarterback. Across the field this week will be the same coach that was there in 1986, Hugh Sandifer.
Hugh Sandifer is now in his 31st year as head coach at Abilene Wylie. He is a local legend having won a state championship in 2004 along with 18 district titles and an overall win/loss record of 265-103-4.Kennedale backstory …There are some records indicating that Kennedale had a team
in 1950 but the first recorded regular season is 1956. Like Abilene Wylie, the early years were
spotty with mostly break even or losing records. In the mid 1980?s under Dan
Yokeley, Kennedale started making the playoffs and recorded the Cats best season to that point,10-2 in 1985. Side note: the current head coach Richard Barrett was the
offensive coach at the time. Overall, Kennedale?s record is 318-309-12
through 2015.
Wildcat Assistant Coach Richard Barrett circa 1982
Since Barrett’s hire as head coach in 2001, the Cats have been aconstant in the playoffs. In his 15 full seasons, the Wildcats have recorded two
undefeated regular seasons, 8 district titles, 15 straight playoff appearances and
an overall record of 118-41. This does not include this year’s record.
The current quarterback, the younger Jowers, is not so much interested in ?ancient history? at this point, his focus is on the game at hand. But, he would probably agree that the same result his father had in his sophomore year back in 1987 would be great.Playoff information …The Wildcats are in the state semi-finals vs Abilene Wylie this Friday at Birdville Athletic Complex, 9200 Mid Cities Blvd, North Richland Hills, TX 76180. Game time is 7:30 p.m. DirectionsTickets information for Friday night Wildcat football playoff game: Presell are $5 & $8 at Kennedale High School starting Tuesday. Tickets are $10 at the gate Parking is $5. Game at Birdville Athletic Complex in North Richland Hills, Game time 7:30 p.m.
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