Wild-KTown
12-04-2003, 10:03 PM
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STAR-TELEGRAM/DARRELL BYERS
After some early season growing pains, Kennedale blockers, from left, Josh Virnoche, Jimmy Letzkus, Chris Wooten, Michael Chan and Dale Brunson, have been a large part of the Wildcats' seasonlong domination on offense
HIGH-VOLTAGE LINE
Front line generates power for Kennedale's electric offense
By John Miller
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Early in the season, it was usually a bad sign for the Kennedale offensive line when an official raised his arm.
He usually tossed a penalty flag or signalled third-and-long.
After 13 games, officials still raise their arms. Only now it's typically to signal a Wildcats touchdown.
With only one starter returning from last season, the Kennedale offensive line suffered growing pains early in the season. But its play improved dramatically as the season went on, helping produce the area's most prolific offense during the regular season and playing a big role in the Wildcats' advance to the Class 3A Division II Region I final.
Kennedale (12-1) meets Vernon (12-1) at 6 p.m. Saturday at the BISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex.
"You can't put any numbers down or any figures to show just how much we've improved," senior Josh Virnoche said. "It had been shaky in the beginning. But we hit a point where we took off, and we've just steadily improved with each week after that."
By the end of the season, defenses couldn't stop the Kennedale offense. With the line opening up holes for the run and giving the quarterback time on passing plays, the Wildcats averaged 460.1 yards and 49.1 points per game during the regular season. That was more than any other 11-man football team in the area, regardless of classification.
Not much has changed in the postseason, with Kennedale averaging 40 points per game and outscoring opponents by an average of 22.7 points per game.
"Our kids that ran the ball and caught the ball, they had something to do with it," Kennedale coach Richard Barrett said. "But it all starts with our linemen opening up holes and giving protection."
Only Virnoche started last season -- most of the other four linemen played backup roles or on junior varsity.
The line didn't look as though it would have much success at the start of the season with mistakes evident in preseason scrimmages. The linemen made errors such as missing assignments, moving early, getting off the ball slowly, holding penalties and failing to finish off blocks.
But the unit turned a corner in the season opener against Crandall. Crandall scored with 25 seconds left to take a 44-43 lead. But the Wildcats needed only 13 seconds to score the game-winning touchdown in a 51-44 victory.
"It was a situation where we had to put our head down, grit our teeth and grind it out, and that's what we did," Virnoche said.
The line took another big step against Everman, the two-time defending state champion. The Wildcats won 30-16, handing the Bulldogs their first home loss since 1998.
"We thought we took some major strides during that week." Barrett said. "And we just got better each week after that."
Kennedale went on to score 52 points or more in four of its final six District 8-3A games. The offense has averaged 445.3 yards in three playoff games.
"Sometimes numbers can be deceiving," Barrett said. "But not in this case. When you have those kinds of numbers, they just don't happen without somebody up front doing something."
Kennedale vs. Vernon
• Class 3A Division II Region I final
• 6 p.m. Saturday, BISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex
• Records: Kennedale 12-1, Vernon 12-1
• Tickets: Adult presale $5, Student presale $3, all tickets $6 at the gate
• At stake: The winner advances to the Division II state semifinals and will play Gilmer (13-0) or Atlanta (9-4).
STAR-TELEGRAM/DARRELL BYERS
After some early season growing pains, Kennedale blockers, from left, Josh Virnoche, Jimmy Letzkus, Chris Wooten, Michael Chan and Dale Brunson, have been a large part of the Wildcats' seasonlong domination on offense
HIGH-VOLTAGE LINE
Front line generates power for Kennedale's electric offense
By John Miller
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Early in the season, it was usually a bad sign for the Kennedale offensive line when an official raised his arm.
He usually tossed a penalty flag or signalled third-and-long.
After 13 games, officials still raise their arms. Only now it's typically to signal a Wildcats touchdown.
With only one starter returning from last season, the Kennedale offensive line suffered growing pains early in the season. But its play improved dramatically as the season went on, helping produce the area's most prolific offense during the regular season and playing a big role in the Wildcats' advance to the Class 3A Division II Region I final.
Kennedale (12-1) meets Vernon (12-1) at 6 p.m. Saturday at the BISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex.
"You can't put any numbers down or any figures to show just how much we've improved," senior Josh Virnoche said. "It had been shaky in the beginning. But we hit a point where we took off, and we've just steadily improved with each week after that."
By the end of the season, defenses couldn't stop the Kennedale offense. With the line opening up holes for the run and giving the quarterback time on passing plays, the Wildcats averaged 460.1 yards and 49.1 points per game during the regular season. That was more than any other 11-man football team in the area, regardless of classification.
Not much has changed in the postseason, with Kennedale averaging 40 points per game and outscoring opponents by an average of 22.7 points per game.
"Our kids that ran the ball and caught the ball, they had something to do with it," Kennedale coach Richard Barrett said. "But it all starts with our linemen opening up holes and giving protection."
Only Virnoche started last season -- most of the other four linemen played backup roles or on junior varsity.
The line didn't look as though it would have much success at the start of the season with mistakes evident in preseason scrimmages. The linemen made errors such as missing assignments, moving early, getting off the ball slowly, holding penalties and failing to finish off blocks.
But the unit turned a corner in the season opener against Crandall. Crandall scored with 25 seconds left to take a 44-43 lead. But the Wildcats needed only 13 seconds to score the game-winning touchdown in a 51-44 victory.
"It was a situation where we had to put our head down, grit our teeth and grind it out, and that's what we did," Virnoche said.
The line took another big step against Everman, the two-time defending state champion. The Wildcats won 30-16, handing the Bulldogs their first home loss since 1998.
"We thought we took some major strides during that week." Barrett said. "And we just got better each week after that."
Kennedale went on to score 52 points or more in four of its final six District 8-3A games. The offense has averaged 445.3 yards in three playoff games.
"Sometimes numbers can be deceiving," Barrett said. "But not in this case. When you have those kinds of numbers, they just don't happen without somebody up front doing something."
Kennedale vs. Vernon
• Class 3A Division II Region I final
• 6 p.m. Saturday, BISD Fine Arts/Athletics Complex
• Records: Kennedale 12-1, Vernon 12-1
• Tickets: Adult presale $5, Student presale $3, all tickets $6 at the gate
• At stake: The winner advances to the Division II state semifinals and will play Gilmer (13-0) or Atlanta (9-4).