It is the red and black against the green and black at SMU?s Ford Stadium Friday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. The #2 Argyle Eagles face off against the #1 Kennedale Wildcats as ranked in Class 4A Region 2 Division I. It is round 3 of the UIL 4A playoffs and a repeat performance by both teams. {{more}}
the backstory ?
Argyle enters the game with an 11-1, 5-0 record while Kennedale has a 12-0, 5-0 record. Argyle?s lone mishaps came in the fourth game of the regular season against state ranked #3 Celina (12-0, 5-0) by a score of 46-36. In that game Celina gained 600 yards to 404 for Argyle. Almost all of Argyle?s yards came through the air with just 67 on the ground. But, Argyle had victories over 5A Cleburne (3-9) by 7, Abilene Wylie (10-2) by 10, 5A Denison (5-5) by 17, 5A Graham (5-6) by 26, Paris (6-5) by 11, Ranchview (2-8) by 56, Wilmer-Hutchinson (5-6) by 44, Carter (3-8) by 28, Pinkston (0-10) by 70, Sanger (10-2) by 39, Lake Worth (4-7) by 63 and Pittsburg (10-2) by 25.
Kennedale did have an narrow escape in the game against Kaufman (11-1) during the regular season when Kaufman out gained the Cats by 514 yards to 374, the only team to that all season. Kaufman threw for 250 yards and rushed for 264, but they turn over the ball on two interceptions and one fumble which Kennedale capitalized on to secure the win 43-35. Kennedale?s other wins came against 5A Crowley (3-7) by 22, Gainesville (1-9) by 57, 5A Dunbar (4-6) by 52, Carter (3-8) in 2 games by 43 and 39, Springtown (5-6) by 44, Lake Worth (4-7) by 69, Castleberry (1-9) by 63, Alvarado (9-3) by 31, Diamond Hill (0-10) by 70 and Athens (8-4) by 21.
Both teams graduated star running backs last year. Argyle was carried by Nick Ralson who rushed for 2,699 yards in his senior year average 6.7 yards per carry. He was the key to Kennedale loss last year to Argyle in rushing for 287 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ralston finished his career with a total of 6,647 yards. For Kennedale, it was Juwan Washington who rushed for 2,695 yards in his senior year averaging 9.9 yards per carry and had 6,780 total yards in his career. In the game last year, he finished with 316 yards and three touchdowns.Arygle won last year’s semifinal game against Kennedale in a come from behind win 52-48. Read the story from last year at Argylewins
what to expect ?
Argyle uses a balanced offense this year. They have attempted passes 243 times while rushing 383 times gaining 2,348 yards through the air (180.9 yards per game and 13.5 yards per completion) while making 18 touchdowns and 2,275 yards on the ground (175.0 per game and 5.6 per attempt) with 51 touchdowns. The total yards gained for the year is 4,623 or 355.6 yards per game and 69 touchdown. All-purpose yards including punt and kickoff return yards for the year total 4,842.
Their big stars are quarterback Dane Ledford (Jr) who has a top quarterback rating of 120.4 with a completion percentage of .735 for 2,164 total yards and 16 touchdowns with an average of 180 yards per game and 13.5 per completion along with 5 interceptions; running back Taylor Sweatt (Sr) with 1,261 yards at 7.4 yard per carry and 105 yards per game; receiver Drew Estrada (Sr) with 53 receptions, 763 total yards, 14.4 yards per catch and 6 touchdowns; and receiver Gage McCook (Sr) with 41 receptions for 309 yards and 8 touchdowns at 14.0 yards per catch.
Kennedale continues as one of the top rushing teams in the metroplex. The Cats have rushed 545 times while making only 12 passing attempts. Kennedale has gained 5,689 yards on the ground at an average of 474 per game and 10.5 yard per carry and 91 touchdowns. In the air, the Cats have gained 168 on six completion and 2 touchdowns. The total offensive yards gained this year is 5,857 for 487 yards per game average and 93 touchdowns. All-purpose yards including punt and kickoff return yards for the year total 6,947 yards.
Kennedale?s big offensive stars are running back Quardraiz Wadley (Sr) with 2,294 yards at 11.4 yards per carry or 190.4 per game and 42 touchdowns; running back Dailyn Wells (Sr) 1,526 yards at 13.7 yards per carry and 21 touchdowns; quarterback Kasier McGlothen 702 yards at 8.1 yards per carry with 6 touchdowns; running back D.J. Kirven (Fr) moved up for the playoffs in the last 3 games, 279 yards at 9.6 yards per carry and 7 touchdowns; and Jaden Knowles (So) 426 yards at 8.7 yards per carry and 7 touchdowns.
For Argyle, who has been to the Big Game twice now, this game is a means to get back where they believe they belong and to win back the state title. For Kennedale this is another chance to validate their program and prove that Kennedale is ready for their own state title run.
Expect the very best from two well coached team.
