The ability of the 2016 Wildcats to stay in the playoffs will depend on their being able to develop a level of maturity that so far, much to the dismay of the coaching staff, has not been seen. {{more:Read more…}}
This year?s team win or lose in the playoffs will always be remembered as the ?penalty? team. There are few records kept on this but it is safe to say that the 2016 Wildcats are at the top especially in the number of personal foul penalties.
It was not coincidental that the last game of the regular season last week ended after the 3rd quarter with fist flying. Referees decided at that point that there was no need to continue the game.
This is not a badge of honor. Just look at this season?s won-loss record. It could have easily been another undefeated or a one loss season without the penalties. Penalties played a significant part in the losses to West Orange, Alvarado and Whitehouse. It is not accidental that the Wildcats biggest win of the season over Mineral Wells was accomplished with the fewest penalties.
Kennedale has received some unfair calls but you can?t blame the referees. The Cats have established a reputation this season that game officials are aware of and it is not the best.
Don?t ask the coaches about it, especially Head Coach Richard Barrett. It is a source of a lot of frustration and heartache. He has never had a team like this one. Benching and extra punishment in the form of extra running and other longer workouts have not worked.
Barrett teams have always been aggressive. Many of his teams have been small when compared to their opponents but have always played tough and smart.
But, Barrett is big on character, win or lose, and character is an intangible quality that can?t be taught like blocking and tackling. It is developed over a period of time and reinforced with positive team leadership.
This is a talented team. It has a balance of skill and ability on both sides of the ball that eludes most teams. Blocking, running, tackling and kicking are all solid. Controlling temper and playing smart not so much.
It is not fair to paint the whole team this way because it is not the whole team, but it has become a team problem.
Hopefully, starting with the first game of the playoffs, the leaders on the team can step up and keep the team focused. If they can, this team can still live up to its pre-season hype.
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