Thursday night, FWISD Benbrook Bobcats hosted the Kennedale Wildcats at Clark Stadium. As one of Fort Worth ISD?s most successful football program this year, Benbrook had lost just one game this season and had rolled through district play without incident. {{more: continue …}}
 |
| A partnership that started as
sophomores,#2 QB Evan Jowers makes a pitch to #28 DJ Kirven as the Wildcats rolled up 534 yards Thursday night against Benbrook ? photo by Staci Otts |
With an overall record of 7-1, 4-0 plus an offense that featured a premier nationally ranked running back, Quintan Jackson with 2,550+ yards this season, the Bobcats looked like real trouble for a Kennedale team who came in the game with a 7-2, 5-0 record but to some not quite ready for prime time.?
But by 10:30 p.m. that evening, the results for the visiting team could not have been better. Kennedale was deadly on both sides of the ball. The Wildcat offense did what Kennedale teams of the past have done by racking up yards (534) and scoring points (52). The Wildcat defense was aggressive and smothering. The Bobcats, who are used to scoring an average of 37 points per game, managed a season low of 14 and had the ball stolen by the Cats? defense on 5 of their 10 possessions.
It was a complete game for the Wildcats and a signal to the rest of Division 1 Class 4A ball that Kennedale could not be counted out just yet.?
Who played better – the offense or defense? This was even, just as good as any coach would want. Here is a look at both, starting with the offense, as the provided the biggest Halloween treat.
Offensive might ?
Unannounced, all-state running back DJ Kirven (Sr) started his first game in 6 weeks. Kirven had gone out with injury during Springtown?s blowout of Kennedale on September 21. He had been listed as questionable from week to week ever since. For the Kennedale loyal this was a real treat, for the Benbrook faithful not so much.?
 |
| #6 Antwone Parker, #82 Carrington Roblow
and #8 Spencer Roof all added a touchdown Thursday in 52-14 win over Benbrook ? photo by Staci Otts |
But others were producing for the Wildcats in this game as the offense scored 29 unanswered points in the first half. Senior quarterback Evan Jowers threw for 97 yards and two touchdowns while running for another. His receivers included Spencer Roof (Jr) for 70 yards and a touchdown and Carrington Roblow (Sr) who had 46 yards and another touchdown. Antwone Parker (Sr) rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown. Micah Conner (Jr) added 35 yards in runs along with Spence Roof with 30. For good measure, Craig Shue (Sr) kicked a 29 yard field goal.
To add a little more trick to the game, place holder Seth Paroulek (Jr), snuck the ball over the goal line for a 2 point conversion in what was thought to be a routine extra point kick.?
Defense built a wall ?
Benbrook?s running back Quintan Jackson had averaged of 320 yards per game. Those are huge number, making him the top running back in north Texas. The Kennedale defense set their goal of putting the brakes on Jackson, something no one else had been be to do this season. Coach Barrett said on Friday after the game that he would have settled for 100 yards by Jackson.?
The Wildcat defense shutdown Benbrook?s run game allowing just 20 yards ? pictured include #35 Jeremiah Drummond & #30
Kameron Russell along with two other Wildcats, photo by Staci Otts
Benbrook ended the night with a total of 196 offensive yards after averaging 437 yards per game. As for as Benbrook?s bread and butter, the running game, it was strangled, yielding only 20 positive yardage for the game. That was the most perhaps the most startling number of the game. The Wildcats forced 5 turnovers in 11 possessions, four by fumble and one by interception. The Cats defense was everywhere on this night.
Wildcat defensive stats ?
Ethan Bishop (Sr) – 8 tackles with three for loss; Wayne Landry (Sr) – 8 tackles; Elijah Williams (Jr) – 1 tackle and 1 fumble recovery; Spencer Roof (Jr) – 4 tackles, 2 for loss and 1 fumble recovery; Kade Stephenson (Sr) – 6 tackles; Keirahyin Brown (So) – 1 tackle; Antwone Watson (Sr) – 1 tackle; JD Coffey (So) – 7 tackles and 1 interception; Kyron Easterling (Sr) – 2 tackles; Tre?Once Davis (Sr) – 7 tackles with 1 for loss; Kameron Russell (Sr) – 4 tackles, 1 for loss and one fumble recovery; Darrian Scott (Sr) – 3 tackles, 1 sack and I fumble recovery; Jamal Marshall (Jr) 4 tackles with one for loss; Marlete Joyner (So) – 1 tackle; Jeremiah Drummond (Sr) 1 tackle; and Krystian Pate (Jr) – 1 tackle.
Just for the record ?
Under Kennedale?s most successful head coach ever, a Richard Barrett led team has now won their seventh? straight district title without a district loss. The Wildcat program undefeated district record is 39 -0, dating back to 2012. They are now making their 18th straight UIL playoff appearance for Coach Barrett. A Barrett coached team has never missed the playoffs. With their current record, the Cats are 56-10 over the last 4 years (85%).?Kennedale does have a week off before playoffs begin.?
Comments are closed.