Throwback Cats run pass Mineral Wells 38-28

Cats alone in first place …

 

Whether it was a throwback to the last two years of gassed up running games or a preview of things to come, Kennedale (5-3, 3-0) put up a gaudy 524 yards of offense with all but 3 yards on the ground as they ran over district rivals, Mineral Wells (6-2, 2-1) last night in Mineral Wells.{{more:Read more …}}

 

It was the Cats best offensive game of the year by far after averaging 366 yards per game this season.

QB Evan Jowers (So) scored 3 rushing TDs vs the Rams (File photo Staci Otts)

Photo Staci

Otts

D.J. Kirven (So) was the offensive star of the night with 37 carries for 358 yards at nearly 10 yards a carry and 2 TD. Quarterback Evan Jowers (So) had 10 carries for 108 yards (10.8av) and 3 TD and Jaden Knowles (Jr) had 53 yards on 12 attempts. Kirven had the lone reception for the night for 3 yards as Jowers went 1-4.

It was not a runaway game though. Mineral Wells was determined to make this a game and came out throwing. QB Tristan Perry (Sr) was 11 for 31 with 1 interception but hit his favorite target Jodan Duckett (Sr) seven times for 214 yards and 4 TDs. The Rams ended the night with 312 yards but could only muster 46 yards on the ground as the Cats strangled the running game.

It was two lost fumbles and another 131 yards in penalties by the Cats that gave Mineral Wells hope and encouragement. Both fumbles led to Rams touchdowns.

game story ?

Q1 Mineral Wells 7 Kennedale 6

• The Rams got on the scoreboard first with a 42 yard pass to Duckett from Perry (Bonifacio kick). Kennedale came back to score off of a Jaden Knowles run but the kick was blocked. SCORE: Rams 7-6.

• Kennedale scored first in the quarter with a 17 yard run by Jowers (Kevin Tiero, kick). Mineral Wells responded with another Duckett 64 yard pass by Perry (Bondifacio kick). Both offenses sputtered after that and Mineral Wells had a one point lead at the half. SCORE: Rams 14-13

• Kennedale roared back with the Cats scoring 3 touchdowns (2 in Q3 and 1 in Q4) before Mineral Wells could get back across the goal line. Kirven had the first TD of the 2nd half off a 4 yard run and Jowers added two points to give the Cats the lead for good. Jowers called his own number the next time down the field on a 22 yard TD run (Tiero kick) to pad the lead. SCORE: Cats 28-14

emotional 4th ?

Q4 Mineral Wells 14 Kennedale 3

• On a drive that started in the 3rd, the Cats score their final touchdown of the game with a Jowers 14 yard run (Tiero kick) and the spread was 35-14. After an exchange of punts on two series, Mineral Wells forced a Cats fumble on the Kennedale 13 and the Rams quickly got back on the scoreboard with 6 mins in the game with a third Perry-Duckett combo (Bonifacio kick) to bring the score to 35-21. Then in quick succession, Mineral Wells recovered their onside kick at the Kennedale 33 and the momentum had moved to Mineral Wells. One play later, Perry finds Duckett for a 33 yard TD pass to bring the Rams within 7 points with 3:20 on the clock. But, Kennedale was able to throw some cold water on Mineral Wells? fire when they covered the second onside kick attempt by the Rams at the Kennedale 41. The Cats ate up 2 minutes on the clock, settling for a 30 yard field goal by Tiero (Jr). It was now a two possession game at 38-28 with 1:38 left in the game. Mineral Wells had another chance but went 4&out and the win belonged to the Kennedale Wildcats. SCORE: Cats 38-28

The win established the Cats as District 5/4A leader with two games left. Kennedale will host Castleberry (1-7, 1-3) on Friday night next week (Senior Night) and then will complete district play against Lake Worth at Lake Worth.(3-5, 2-1).