This is where the Heritage Jaguars and the Kennedale Wildcats met up last year ? the Region 2 semi-finals. And there was no bigger fireworks show that night. When the smoke clear it was Kennedale on top 49-47. This was not a game for the faint of heart. {{more: continue …}}
As with most games, Kennedale had 467 yards on the ground while the opponent came up with 498 yards in the air. In stats for Kennedale, D.J. Kirven had 169 yards and 5 TDs. Jaden Knowles had 137 yards and a TD. Evan Jowers was 0-1 for one in passing but ran for 102 yards.
The take on Midlothian Heritage …
Heritage is in their third year of playing varsity. They had a miraculous birth when they became the second high school in Midlothian 2015. They came out running last year in their first full year in regular 4A play and have been vying for district titles ever since. Some may call it luck, others call it a well-managed event.
For the season, they own wins over Sunnyvale (44-15), Benbrook (45-28), Decatur (35-21), Crandall (39-21), Sanger (62-13) in early season play. In District 6-4A, just like Kennedale, they met few challenges and swept district games winning against Pinkston (64-6), Alvarado (38-10), Carter (33-12), Ranchiew (57-28) and Wilmer-Hutchins (50-18). In the playoffs they defeated Lake Worth 74-12 and then Crandall last week 51-20.
The breakdown ?
For the year they have scored 592 points while allowing 204. Kennedale has scored 655 points and allowed 158. In total yards Heritage averages 405 yard per game while Kennedale averages 458. As far as points per game, Midlothian averages 48.8 per game while the Wildcats average 53.5.
The Jaguars mix the pass and run just about equally averaging 205 yards rushing and 200 yards passing. Kennedale averages just shy of 400 yards running (388) and passes for 70 yards.
The two teams have played three common opponents ? Alvarado, which Kenndale defeated 51-7 and Heritage won 38-10; Carrollton Ranchview, which the Cats winning 59-14 and the Jags 57-28; and, Lake Worth with the Wildcats winning 62-0 and Heritage 74-12.
Kicking ? Heritage is 64-69 in extra points with their primary kicker and 5-8 on field goals. Kennedale is 72-77 on point after kicks and 6-6 on field goals.
Punts – Heritage average 34.0 yards with 2 inside the 20. Kennedale averages 45 yards with one inside the 20.
Kickoffs – The Jags average 50.4 yards with 6 touchbacks. Kennedale averages 58.4 with 58 touchbacks.
Kick-off returns – Heritage averages 20.7 yards on kick-off returns and 5.7 yards on punts with 11 fair catches. Kennedale averages 20 yards on kick-returns and 23 on punt returns with 7 fair catches.
Players to watch for _ Heritage
- #12 Landon Ledbetter, who like Kennedale QB Evan Jowers, started last year as a sophomore at quarterback and has thrown for 2,035 yards this year with a 69% completion record for 28 TDs with 3 interceptions. He has added another 236 yards on the ground.
- #10 Nathan Gascamp (Sr) has rushed for 568 yards on 76 carries for an average of 7.5 per with 6 TDs.
- #1 Raja Banks (Jr) has rushed for 722 yards on 74 carries for an average of 9.9 yards per with 10 TDs.
- #4 Kerrion Fields (Sr) had 52 receptions for 887 yards and 18 TDs.
- #88 Langston Anderson (Jr) 45 receptions for 678 yards and 8 TDs.
- #8 Jay Wilkerson (So) 35 receptions for 597 yards and 9 TDs.
- #36 Konner Jones (So) 95 tackles average 7.9 per game, 8 for loss, 2 sacks
- #2 Noah Parker (Jr) 95 tackles average 7.5 per game, 8 interceptions, 2 fumbles recoveries
- #13 Garrison Espinoza (Sr) 56 tackles, 7 for loss
- #99 Jon Sanders (Jr) 39 tackles, 11 for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 interception
The Kennedale defense may be the difference here. If they can stop the Jags on more than one possession, look for a Wildcat win.
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