Photo by Staci Otts
Last week the Dunbar Wildcats let out a loud snarl and the Kennedale Wildcats spit back, setting up a showdown in Kennedale on Friday.
Dunbar upset the status quo when they toppled Lake Worth from sole possession of 1st place in a ground struggle 14-10, placing themselves front and center. Then Kennedale followed by eliminating another contender in the race for the 4 allotted playoff with a surprising romp over Western Hills 38-0.
The 6/4A race got simpler yet more complicated. With Western Hills eliminated, four teams are left for the four top spot – Lake Worth 5-1, Kennedale 5-1, Dunbar 5-1, and Eastern Hills 4-2.
As it now stands Dunbar (5-4, 5-1) is in first place due to the win over Lake Worth (7-2, 5-1). Lake Worth is in second due to an earlier win over Kennedale. Kennedale (6-3, 5-1) is third followed by Eastern Hills (6-3, 4-2) who, by the way, beat Dunbar earlier this season.
Barring acts of nature, it will all be settled by the end of Friday evening …
The four top teams will fight it out in something akin to a shoot-out at the OK Corral but at two different corrals and at different times. When the dust (or mud), settles late Friday, Kennedale could be 1st, second, or third. While Lake Worth and Kennedale are favored to win, given the near equality in these teams nothing is certain. (Note: Both Kennedale and Lake Worth are playing at home where neither has lost this season and it is Senior Night).
Originally both games were set to play on Friday according to MaxPreps but the Lake Worth/Easter Hills game has been moved to tonight, Thursday. It is a home game for Lake Worth and will be played at 7 pm. Kennedale and Dunbar will play Friday night at Kennedale Wildcat Stadium. The game time is 7:30 pm.
dfwVarsity in an article written BY BRIAN GOSSET has named the 5 top games to watch this week and two of the five were the Eastern Hills vs Lake Worth game and the Kennedale vs Dunbar clash.
Gossett in another article has identified 10 of the top players to watch this week. One of these players is from Kennedale, another is from Dunbar. Here is what they say about these two.
- “Cameron Lyles, Sr., RB, Kennedale: Lyles headlines the Kennedale rushing attack with nearly 136 yards and three touchdowns against Western Hills. He averages nearly 100 yards per game and has 15 TDs.”
- “Murry Moore, Sr., RB, Dunbar: Moore is among the leading backs in the state. Last week in the Wildcats’ 14-10 win over Lake Worth, he posted his seventh 200-yard game of the season. He’ll face Kennedale this week with over 2,100 yards and 19 TDs on the season.”
What does Kennedale Head Coach Richard Barrett, the dean of coaches in this area, think. “All we can do is play our game, the rest will take care of itself.”
The take on Dunbar/Kennedale by the numbers …
- The Wildcats of Dunbar started the season with three losses – 4A Wilmer-Hutchins (5-4) 45-19, 3A Ponder (3-6) 70-57, and 5A Wyatt (7-2) 16-13. In district play, the D-cats have lost only to Eastern Hills (6-3) 20-7 on October 15.
- The Wildcats of Kennedale started the season going 1-2 by losing to 4A Waco La Vega (5-4) 34-7, winning over 4A Alvarado (4-5) 27-12, and losing to 5A Denison (4-5) 35-28 (OT). In district play, the K-Cats have lost only to Lake Worth (7-2) 10-3.
- Dunbar‘s winning percentage is 56% and has scored 328 points (36.4 avg) while allowing 231 (25.6).
- Kennedale‘s winning percentage is 68% and has scored 299 points (33.2 avg) while allowing 91 (10.1 avg).
- Dunbar has passed for 664 yds (73.8 per gm) with a completion rate of 53% for 7 TDs and 4 interceptions. The D-Cats have 2,772 rushing yds (308 per gm) and 31 TDs.
- Kennedale has passed for 367 yards (40.8 per gm) with a completion rate of 52%, 9 TDs, and 2 interceptions. The K-Cats have rushed for 1711 yds (190.1 yd per gm) and 26 TDs.
- Dunbar has recorded 560 tackles (62.2 per gm) with 35 for loss, 11 sacks, 44 hurries, 11 interceptions, 16 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries, 12 caused fumbles.
- Kennedale has recorded 474 tackles (52.7 per gm) with 101 for loss, 17 sacks, 36 hurries, 7 interceptions with 2 returned for TD, 18 passes defended, 8 fumble recoveries with 3 returned for TD, 8 caused fumbles, 2 block punts, 3 blocked field goals and 3 safeties.
Senior Night …
There are 19 KHS Football Seniors to be honored at the game Friday.
#1 Jaylen Webb, #2 Cameron Lyles, #4 Reggie Mapps,
#6 Damari Harrell-Jones, #7 Cameron Sallis, #11 Shane Hull,
#14 Caleb Blaze, #15 Jacorey Jackson Jr, #20 Adan Houston,
#21 Zechariah Conner, #23 Corry Mcwhorter, #44 Jadicus Evans,
#52 Julian Jamie, #53 Julius Parker, #54 Jose Baleras,
#65 Sam Mahserjian, #75 Massey Evan, #76 Ethan Massey,
and #99 Poasa Utu
