Remodeling is always messy and takes longer than anyone expects. But it has to continue to get where you want things to be. So it is in Kennedale.
Last week was another part of the remaking process. The Kennedale Wildcats (0-3) lost to Springtown 34-17. According to MaxPreps, Springtown is now 2-1 and has moved to #17 in Class 4A. It is the third week that the Wildcats have met a ranked team. A fourth is coming this week when the Cats play the Frisco Panther Creek Panthers. More on that game will follow in the next article.
Game story – short version …
The Kennedale Wildcats and the Springtown Porcupines played to a scoreless 1st quarter last Friday. In the second quarter, the scoring began with the “Pines” drawing first blood on an 11-play touchdown drive. The extra-point kick failed.
Then Kennedale’s defense did what it does best, “slow and frustrate” the opponent. On two consecutive series, the Cat D forced turnovers that resulted in a field goal and a touchdown by the Wildcat offense from short-yardage situations. Kennedale was ahead in the game 10-6 at the halfway point.
Unfortunately for the Wildcat home crowd and the team itself, Springtown stormed back in the last half of the game with 28 points matched only by 7 from the Wildcats.
Stats summary thus far …
Kennedale is still sorting through their options. At this point, there is no established single runner as with past teams. The rushing yards are almost equally divided between three players (Jordan Woodard, Jackson Hammonds, and Riley Bingham) each rushing for more than 160 yards. A fourth player (Avery Cox) is not far behind. Passing has been negligible.
In the first three games, Kennedale has rushed for 727 yards at 4.4 yards per carry averaging 242 yards per game and scoring 4 touchdowns. The Wildcats have attempted only 7 passes and completed one for 45 yards for one touchdown with no interceptions. The Cats have fumbled 5 times in the three games but have lost only one.
On defense, Kennedale has recorded 12 tackles for loss and averaged 43 tackles per game for 129 tackles total with 6 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 4 passes defended, and 2 blocked field goals. The two field goal blocks by R Bingham and G Godley added surprise and excitement in the Springtown game last week.
Individual stat leaders offense …
Rushing – J Woodard (Sr) 46 carries/164 yards/3.6 yds per carry; J Hammonds (Sr) 35/162 yds/4.6/2 TDs; R Bingham (Jr) 29/161 yds/ 5.6/1 TD; A Cox (Sr) 17/126/7.4; Josh Cornwell (Sr) 16/60/3.8/ 1 TD.
Receiving/Returns – Laurrence Watkins (Sr) 1 reception/45 yards/1 TD kick return – R Bingham (Jr) 153 yards kick returns and 12 yards punt return; A Cox (Sr)126 yards returns
Defensive leaders (Name/tackles/sacks/other) …
R Bingham (Jr) 22, 1 sack, 1 blocked FG; Tyler Greenfield (Sr) 20 tackles; G Godley (Jr) 20 tackles, 1 sack, 1 blocked FG; DJ Darjean (Sr) 16 tackles; Trey Smith 16 tackles; Mitchell McBroom (Sr) 12 tackles, 2 sack; Brian Cox (Jr) 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery; Barron Miranda (So)1 sack; Landon Watkins (So) 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery.
Player updates …
Four Wildcats players are new to the original varsity roster published earlier. One player has been dropped.
Players welcomed to the Wildcat roster include #23 Lyle Gordon (Jr), #30 George Hunt (Jr), #39 Alec Degtyar, and #42 Kevonte Johnson (Jr).
Several players have been on the injury/sickness list, including one with a torn ACL. One player returned to the active list this week.
This week’s game info …
Game time is at 7 pm on Friday, September 20 at David Kuykendall Stadium, Frisco, TX
