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09-27-2003, 07:23 AM
Kennedale ends Everman streak
By Rick Mauch
Special to the Star-Telegram
EVERMAN - Even a two-time defending state champion can't win if it doesn't have the football.
Dominating time of possession, the Kennedale Wildcats handed Everman its first home loss since 1998, 30-16, in both teams' District 8-3A opener Friday night at Marr Stadium.
Kennedale's offense had control of the ball for 30 minutes and 37 seconds to 17:23 for Everman. In the second half, when the Wildcats (4-0) simply wore down the Bulldogs (2-2) on defense, Kennedale had a 17:17-6:43 advantage. The Wildcats scored the game's final 14 points.
"We kept saying all week we were not going to be denied," Kennedale coach Richard Barrett said. "We knew the odds were against us, but we felt good about what we were doing."
Never was the Wildcats' control more evident than during Kennedale's final scoring drive. Going 59 yards in nine plays and using 4:01 of the clock, running backs Rex Harper and Weldon Brooks alternated carries until Harper scored from 5 yards out.
Chris Morris caught a 2-point conversion pass to finish the scoring as Kennedale won its 13th consecutive regular-season game.
"We sensed it. We could tell they were getting fatigued," said Harper, who rushed for 190 yards on 26 carries.
Harper was held to 38 yards on nine carries in the first half, including no gain or losses on his final five carries. On his first carry of the second half, he burst free for 53 yards, setting up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Bryan Barrett to Giorgio Bostice to give Kennedale the lead. Barrett then hit Morris for two points to make the score 16-8.
"Coach said [at halftime] he wasn't going to change anything," Harper said. "We just started picking up blocks."
In two seasons, Harper has gained 388 yards on 41 carries in two victories against Everman.
"We've been worried about this for two weeks," said Everman coach Dale Keeling, whose team entered ranked No. 6 in the state in Class 3A. "We played a Kennedale team better than us. They outhit us and outhustled us."
By Rick Mauch
Special to the Star-Telegram
EVERMAN - Even a two-time defending state champion can't win if it doesn't have the football.
Dominating time of possession, the Kennedale Wildcats handed Everman its first home loss since 1998, 30-16, in both teams' District 8-3A opener Friday night at Marr Stadium.
Kennedale's offense had control of the ball for 30 minutes and 37 seconds to 17:23 for Everman. In the second half, when the Wildcats (4-0) simply wore down the Bulldogs (2-2) on defense, Kennedale had a 17:17-6:43 advantage. The Wildcats scored the game's final 14 points.
"We kept saying all week we were not going to be denied," Kennedale coach Richard Barrett said. "We knew the odds were against us, but we felt good about what we were doing."
Never was the Wildcats' control more evident than during Kennedale's final scoring drive. Going 59 yards in nine plays and using 4:01 of the clock, running backs Rex Harper and Weldon Brooks alternated carries until Harper scored from 5 yards out.
Chris Morris caught a 2-point conversion pass to finish the scoring as Kennedale won its 13th consecutive regular-season game.
"We sensed it. We could tell they were getting fatigued," said Harper, who rushed for 190 yards on 26 carries.
Harper was held to 38 yards on nine carries in the first half, including no gain or losses on his final five carries. On his first carry of the second half, he burst free for 53 yards, setting up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Bryan Barrett to Giorgio Bostice to give Kennedale the lead. Barrett then hit Morris for two points to make the score 16-8.
"Coach said [at halftime] he wasn't going to change anything," Harper said. "We just started picking up blocks."
In two seasons, Harper has gained 388 yards on 41 carries in two victories against Everman.
"We've been worried about this for two weeks," said Everman coach Dale Keeling, whose team entered ranked No. 6 in the state in Class 3A. "We played a Kennedale team better than us. They outhit us and outhustled us."