It is a rare moment for a teacher or a coach to see the light go on in the eyes of the student or player. It is the “aha? moment when it all seems to all make sense and the realization that “Hey I’ve got this!?? {{more: continue …}}
Something like that happened on Friday night in the Wildcat football game against the #5 ranked team in the state in Class 4A, Midlothian Heritage. Most had Kennedale as the underdog and, after last week, there was the unspoken fear that this could even be a runaway game.?
Started out badly …
From the first quarter and into the second quarter, it was bleak for the Wildcats and fans. There was a brief moment of excitement when Kennedale stopped Heritage?s opening drive with an interception by Wildcat JD Coffey,(JR), but that was followed by two scoreless possessions, six plays, one lost fumble, one punt and a total of zero yards.
Kennedale defense had some key stops during the game with the first by #22 JD Coffey (l) with one of two Wildcats interception.? While the defensive front dug in to slow the Jags -? #9 Wayne
Landry, #20 Micah Conner and #52 Jordan Price. (Photo: Stacy Otts)
For Heritage, after that early miscue with the interception, the Jaguars controlled the ball and the clock. The Jaguars scored twice on sustained drives of 9 and 13 plays, picking up over 100 yards of offense.
Then something happened ?
It was at this time, the lowest point of the game, that the Wildcats gain some small success and then added to it and then again. That was when the light flash in their eyes and the coaches began to think maybe this is their epiphany. As it turned out, at least for this night and this game, the Cats were alive. They scored on their next five possessions, totally dominating the middle part of the game.?
#11 Keirahyin Brown (l) crashes over for TD, one of three for the night with help of #50 Tanner Coker, #60 Cole Shue. #6 Cameron Hynson (r) breaks for a long run, gained 165 yards for the game. (Photo: Staci Otts)
But Kennedale had gotten a taste of success and was not quitting. On their next possession and just before halftime, the Cats struck again – this time on an 11-play drive. Ryan Williams (SO) ran for 10, 5, 3 and 4 yards. Hynson contributed another 3 yards rushing and then Seth Paroulek (SR) connected with Ife Adeyemi (JR)for 8 yards and the final 17 yards to Wali Latifi (SR) for their second touchdown of the night. Score was 14-21.?
The momentum continued ?
After the half, there was no cool down for the Cats as Kennedale struck once again. This time it was a 5-play drive. Hynson had runs of 6, 13 and 4 yards. Paroulek picked up another 4 yards but it was Keirahyin Brown?s 43-yard burst that got the score. Kennedale had knotted the score at 21.?
Scored on five straight possessions ??
#5 Seth Paroulek (l) rushed for 29 yards and completed 3 of 5 passes with one TD pass to #7 Wali Latifi (r) with #4 Ife
Adeyemi . (Photo: Staci Otts)
Kennedale came right back with a one play 80-yard scoring run by back Cameron Hynson. The extra point kick was good and Kennedale got their first lead of the game at 28-21.
?Heritage on their next possession tried to put together another scoring drive but it ended with a punt on a 4th and 9 at the Kennedale 48.?Making it five in a row, the Wildcats mounted their longest drive of the game ? a clock swallowing 18 play touchdown drive that consumed the latter part of the 3rd and a chunk of the 4th. The drive started at the Kennedale 17 and was highlighted by a 22-yard scramble by quarterback Seth Paroulek. Score was now 35-21.?Heritage did have two more possessions and managed one more score as time was running out to make the final score 35-28. Kennedale had the last possession and ran out the clock to seal the win.?STATS:?
- Heritage team stats: 17 first downs, 381 total yards – 240 yd passing (16-30, 2 interceptions) 141 yards rushing ? 11 penalties for 97 yards.
Heritage player offensive stats ? Rushing: Cullen Stone 98
yds (7.0 av), Latray Miller 15 yds, Jay Wilkerson 14 yds 1 TD, Brody Greeson 8
yds, Cade Sumbler 6 yds. Receiving: Jay Wilkerson 9-150 yds 2TDs, Hayden
Wiginton 3-66, Daelin Rader 3-15, Cullen Stone 1-9. Passing: Cade Sumbler 16/30
240 yds 2 TDs 2 Int
- Kennedale team stats: 17 first downs, 341 total yards ? 28 yd pass (3-5), 141 yd rush ? 4 penalties for 60 yards ? 1 lost fumble.
- Kennedale player offensive stats ? Rushing: Cameron Hynson 165 yds (8.25ave) 1 TD, Ryan Williams 64 yds (3.76ave), Keirahyin Brown 55 yds (7.86ave) 3 TDs, Seth Paroulek 29 yds (4.14). Receiving ? Wali Latifi 1-17 yds, 1 TD; Ife Adeyemi 2-11yds. ? Passing: Seth Paroulek 3-5 60yds, 1 TD. Kicking: Aidan Birr 5-5 ext/pts
Up next for Kennedale is Alvarado, always dangerous plus a long-time rival. Game time is 7:30 p.m. Friday at Wildcat Stadium.?
Comments are closed.