In a first for Kennedale, the football game played last Thursday night was broadcast live on local television from KHS Wildcat Stadium. It was a bit of a dodgy game that showed neither team at their best on offense but for the Wildcat faithful it was heaven-sent. It was a win!
In what has become in recent years the “Battle of the Cats“, the Wildcats of Kennedale defeated the Wildcats of FtW Dunbar 18-13. The importance of this win can not be overestimated. The Wildcats have not gone 0-4 since .. oh say .. the cow jumped over the moon. That streak was stopped and had now been lifted off the back of the current team. Dunbar fell to 2-3 for the season.
It was a defensive game.
It was Kennedale’s defense that controlled the game. While Dunbar scored two touchdowns, those were not on offense. The Wildcat “D” shut down Dunbar, allowing just 85 yards on the ground and 69 by air and no points. Dunbar might have had a few more yards rushing but Kennedale caught Dunbar runners in the backfield for 27 yards in losses.
Kennedale defensive efforts were led by game leaders Gavin Godley (Jr) with 9 tackles, 2 for loss, and a safety; Tyler Greenfield (Sr) 5 tackles, 2 for loss; Kevin Godfrey (Jr) 4 tackles, 2 for loss; and, Mitchell McBroom (Sr) with 3 tackles, 2 for loss.
For Dunbar, it was their defense that gave the D Cats hope. Two Dunbar players, Jacory Johnson, and Ethan Warren, snatched the football out of the arms of an upright Wildcat runner in gang-tackle situations, returning each stolen ball for a touchdown. While Kennedale outscored Dunbar by five points to win the game, it could have been 30-13 or better. The Dunbar defense stalled the Kennedale offense 4 times deep in Dunbar territory, forcing 4 field goal attempts. Kennedale was successful on three of those attempts.
Kennedale made headway on offense.
Kennedale scored a touchdown on a run by Riley Bigham (Jr). Kennedale’s other points came from kicker Lance Paté (Sr) who went 3 for 4 on field goals, scoring 10 points after adding an extra point kick on the touchdown. His longest field goal for the night was 41 yards. Two additional points for Kennedale were added with a safety scored by Gavin Godley which came after a punt by Paté that placed the ball on the Dunbar 3-yard line.
Both Riley Bingham and Lance Paté were the star offensive players for the game. Bingham, along with making Kennedale’s only TD, rushed for 155 yards at a 10.3 average per carry. Laurrence Watkins (Sr) contributed 83 yards while another 66 yards were gained by Trey Smith (Jr).
The 378 total yards for the night was the most Kennedale has made this season. For Bingham, it was his second 100+ yard game. His other game came in the Panther Creek game when he rushed for 106 yards.
It was the most opportune time to win.
There are several reasons that this win came at a crucial time.
First, this week is a break for the Wildcats with no game on the schedule. This gives the Cats two weeks plus two full weekends to rest and heal before the next game.
Why is this so important? There is no “platoon” ball for the Wildcats. This year most starters for Kennedale play both sides of the football. Since there have been no runaway games where starters may play just over half the game, Wildcat starters have had little or no bench time. It is four-quarters of play every week.
With tired legs and bruised bodies, the extended break is so very welcomed. It also has to be noted that the Wildcats have been without their starting quarterback since the second game of the season due to injury.
Second, Kennedale starts district play on Friday, October 11 playing Castleberry. It is a chance to start over. Previous losses or rankings don’t mean anything now. As far as the playoffs, it is the district results that matter and Kennedale is 0-0.
Third, it was a win, and so very important for a team on a losing streak. No matter how positive you try to be, showing up for practice after a loss, week after week, takes a toll. Now everyone feels better and there is hope.
Homecoming Time.
As mentioned, Kennedale’s first district test will be at home next Friday night October 11, 2024. Game time was originally set for 7:30 pm but has been moved up to 7 pm. It will be Homecoming Night at Wildcat Stadium. The guest will be the 3-2 Castleberry Lions, a longtime opponent of the Wildcats. More on this game will come next week.
