Byron Nelson eliminates Weatherford, ends Kangaroos’ great season, advances to area
Under first-year Weatherford coach Aubrey Sims, the Kangaroos were having one of their better seasons in the past decade entering Friday’s home game against Byron Nelson.
But the Bobcats made sure to end the fun in Parker County.
Behind quarterback Jake Wilson and a strong defensive performance, Byron Nelson overpowered Weatherford, 35-14, during a Class 6A Division 2 bi-district game at Kangaroo Stadium.
The Bobcats (8-3), who finished third in the District 4-6A standings, will play El Paso Eastlake in the area round on Friday at 6 p.m. from Wolfforth Frenship HS.
“Defensive staff did a good job and the kids did a great job,” Byron coach Travis Pride said. “I was worried about their offense. They got some fire power and some talented kids. I knew they could put some points up. They’re a well-coached football team.
“We have a good quarterback, good receivers and an offensive line that will protect them. We passed the ball really well, which then gives us an opportunity to run the ball so we were able to do a little bit of both and keep them off balance.”
The Kangaroos end the season 7-4 after finishing second in 3-6A and No. 1 in the Division 2 bracket.
They were looking for their first playoff win since 1999.
Weatherford was able to drive across midfield on the game’s opening possession, but the offense ended in a punt. Byron Nelson drove down 75 yards in nine plays for the first touchdown.
Running back Michael Giordano scored on an 11-yard touchdown run with 4:40 left in the first quarter.
“We knew we had to start early because if we weren’t, then they would so we had to get the jump first,” Wilson said. “We’ve been working all off-season and season and just waiting for this moment.”
After another Roos punt, the Bobcats upped the lead to 14-0 on the first play of the second quarter when David Kabongo scored from the 14 on a wildcat formation.
Weatherford got on the board on the ensuing drive when Sims, who came over from Iowa Park, went to the trick bag. After two hand-offs, Melvin Polk hit big 6-7 tight end Hayden Hansen in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown to pull within 14-7 with 8:53 to play in the second quarter.
But the Bobcats answered the bell next on a 12-play, 80-yard drive.
Wilson, who leads the Fort Worth-area in passing yards with over 3,200, hit Landon Ransom-Goelz on a 25-yard pass and Gavin McCurley for 21 before using his legs to score from the 5 to make it 21-7 with 5:31 before intermission.
The teams traded interceptions from Byron’s Troy Desmarais and from Polk, but the Bobcats would take that 21-7 lead into the locker room. Coming out of halftime, Polk picked off a Byron pass to start the third, but Weatherford was called for a defensive penalty to negate the turnover.
“We just kept flying to the ball. We got some young guys and they stepped up,” Byron senior safety Chauncey McGriff said. “It started on kickoff and the sideline energy was great. Love these guys. We have great leadership, a great offense and great defense.”
Both teams traded punts before Byron extended the lead to 28-7 midway through the period on Wilson’s 8-yard run. Wilson scored on a read-option before lowering his pads to run over a defender.
Weatherford’s offense continued to stall out and the Bobcats made it 35-7 on an 8-yard run from Aaron Darden in the fourth quarter. The Roos scored again on a Ryan Clark 10-yard run with 4:17 left to play.
“It’s a great feeling,” McGriff said. “We came out and wanted to make a statement and try to build a new legacy for Byron Nelson and that’s what we did today.”
Byron Nelson gained 257 yards on the ground and 207 through the air. Wilson rushed eight times for 80 yards with two scores. Giordano added a team-high 105 on 17 carries. Ransom-Goelz and McCurley combined for 11 catches and 165 yards.
Weatherford was held to 287 yards with 205 on the ground. Clark rushed 12 times for 94 yards and running back Brayden Bork scampered 59 yards late to finish with 111 yards on 14 carries.
This story was originally published November 12, 2021 at 9:31 PM.
