‘We pride ourselves on our defense’: Kennedale high school football thumps Castleberry

FORT WORTH — After a rough start to the season, Kennedale is moving in the right direction with two wins in a row.

The Wildcats broke out for 35 points in the first quarter to set the tone in a 52-7 win over River Oaks Castleberry on Friday night in a District 6-4A DI game at W.O. Barnes Stadium.

The Wildcats had a pair of defensive touchdowns to go along with three rushing scores to pave the way for the win after three losses in non-district action to open 2023.

“We pride ourselves on our defense,” Kennedale coach Richard Barrett said. “We got stops and scores … that is what we always want to do.”

The Wildcats (2-3, 2-0) alternated rushing touchdowns and defensive scores early on to set the stage for the blowout win.

Aaron Coles had an 8-yard run before a sack by the Wildcats’ defensive line led to a fumble. Avery Cox picked it up and returned it 8 yards for a touchdown. Kennedale led 14-0 with less than 3 minutes off the clock.

After the defense forced a punt, Jordan Woodard took a handoff and outran the Lions’ defense for a 55-yard touchdown with 5 minutes to play in the first quarter.

The next drive for Castleberry (1-4, 0-2) ended with another turnover. Middle linebacker Tyler Greenfield got a strip and scored for a 40-yard touchdown.

“He wasn’t really holding onto the ball, so I just grabbed it,” the junior said of the play that made it 28-0 with 4:18 to play in the first half.

Quarterback Lawrence Hodge added a touchdown run in the final minute of the first quarter to make it 35-0. Lance Pate booted a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter before the Lions got on the board.

Moments after taking over at the 25-yard line, quarterback Demetrius Valdez hit Corbett Brown for a 75-yard touchdown.

The Wildcats added two more scores on the ground in the third quarter to account for the final score.

Hodge added a 17-yard run on what looked to be a passing play with three receivers to his right. Instead, he used them as blockers as he evaded the Lions’ defense.

Running back Josh Cornwell added the final score with a 17-yard jaunt at the 7-minute mark in the third. Up next week is a showdown for first place in the district when Lake Worth (4-1, 2-0) visits Kenendale.

Castleberry travels to winless Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis next week.