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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Kennedale pulls out another win 34-28

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Unrated Cats are in the state semifinals

 
The never say quit Kennedale Wildcats (11-3) woke up from their first half nap and stormed into the state semi-finals, a first for Kennedale, besting Van (12-2) by a score of 34-28 Friday night at The Star in Frisco. {{more:Read more …}}
 
halftime switch …
 
Whether or not it was some kindly words from Defensive Coordinator Jody Littleton/Offensive Coordinator Kenneth Jowers, a warm pat on the back from Head Coach Richard Barrett or something in the Gatorade, the Cats were a different team in the 2nd half. The Wildcats played their version of Kennedale ball, hard-hitting smothering defense and an offensive line that own the line of scrimmage and never stopped until the play was done.
DJ Kirven over for a

touchdown. Van watched this happen five

times Friday night (Photo: Staci

Otts)

FACT: the Van Vandals outplayed Kennedale in the first half putting up 21 points to the Cats 7, passing for 164 yards and rushing for 31 yards for a total of 205 yards. Kennedale had only 61 yards all on the ground with one passing attempt.
 
FACT: The Kennedale Wildcats shutdown the Vandals in the second half limiting Van to 77 yards with just one yard on the ground and one touchdown. Kennedale ran for 212 yards and scored 27 points. Van had five possessions in the second half and the Cats defense forced punts on 4 of the 5 and limited the Vandals to a total of 4 yards on those four possessions.

Kennedale offense exploded in

the 2nd half for 27 points and 212 yards (Photo:

Staci Otts)

Cats big offensive plays:
  • Touchdown #1 QB Evan Jowers (So) had runs of 12 and 16; DJ Kirven (So) scored on a 25 yard run.
  • Touchdown #2 DJ Kirven with runs of 64, 17 and 6 for TD
  • Touchdown #3 David Roper (Sr) 22 yards; Braelin Brown(Jr) 5 & 16 yards; Jowers for 15; Kirven 5 yards for TD; Aaron Rinehart (Sr) run for 2 point conversion.
  • Touchdown #4 B Brown runs of 6, 7 and 4; Kirven 9 and 10 for TD
  • Touchdown #5 B Brown 7 yards; Kirven 9 yards for TD
Cats?s defense allowed only

4 yards on 4 of 5 Van possessions in the 2nd half (Photo:

Staci Otts)

suffocating defensive play ….

The Cats’ defense kept the game undercontrol in the second half, providing the offense the chance to do their thing. Ector Rivera (Jr) led with 9 tackles with at least 5 or more tackles were Michael Landers (Sr) 8, Avion Jenkins (Jr) 6, Kade Stephenson (So) 5, Mayfield Hayes (Jr) 5 and Larry Brooks (Jr) 5. Baron Browning (Sr) listed as linebacker but he was pressed into service to cover Van?s super receiver #5 Isaiah Allred (Sr). Allred did get come up with a touchdown and some big plays but the Wildcat coaches were pleased with the overall results. Browning did get an interception that he returned 26 yards for a touchdown but the play was called back because of a Kennedale penalty on the play.
 
Mayfield Hayes (Jr) had 3 sacks while Ricardo Pena (Jr) and Ector Rivera each had one sack.
 
DJ Kirven (So) ended the game with 5 touchdowns on 169 yds (8.5 avg), Breelin Brown (Jr) had 77 yds (4.5 avg), David Roper (Jr) 23 yards (7.7 avg) and Evan Jowers (So) 4 yards. For Kirven this is his second straight game to score five touchdowns and his 4th straight game run for 100 or more. In the playoffs he is averaging 171.5 yards at 9.45 avg per carry and four touchdowns.
 
the road trip continues …
 
The dream road trip continues with the Cats in the state semi-finals this Friday at Birdville Athletic Complex, 9200 Mid Cities Blvd, North Richland Hills, TX 76180. Directions

Cats are in the playoffs for

17th consecutive year, 16 under Coach Richard Barrett and are having

their best run ever (Photo: Staci

Otts)

Kennedale is in its 17 straight UIL playoff appearance and at the highest level ever reached. This

week, the Cats 11-3 will play Abilene Wylie 11-1 while Carthage 11-2 will be playing China

Springs 13-1. The four teams are playing for a chance to play in the state championship for Class 4A at AT&T Stadium in Arlington Friday, December 16 at noon.

only team not in the top 10 coming into the playoffs …

It is interesting to note that in the final football poll before the playoffs, Texas Football had the following Top Ten for Class 4 Division 1:

#1 Argyle (out); #2 Waco La Vega (out); #3 El Campo (out); #4

China Springs (in); #5 Henderson (out); #6 Stafford (out); #7 Abilene Wylie (in);

#8 Midlothian Heritage (out); #9 Van (out); #10 Carthage (out).

Kennedale was written off early in the season and was not in any top ten statewide poll including the AP at the end of the regular season.
 

Tickets 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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