Magical season continues: Fort Worth Benbrook’s strong start powers Bobcats past Greenwood

The Fort Worth Benbrook’s magical, historic season continues.

The Bobcats held on for a 41-34 victory over the Midland Greenwood Rangers in the Class 4A Division II Area round Texas high school football playoff matchup on Thursday, Nov. 21, at Hugh Sandifer Stadium.

Fort Worth Benbrook (11-1) bolted to a 24-0 halftime lead, taking advantage of three Greenwood turnovers that turned into 17 points.

Benbrook’s Desmond Chambers recovered the opening kickoff that Carlos Harris turned into a two-yard TD run for an early lead. A Jacob Carpenter interception then led to a one-yard keeper by quarterback Brennan Barton.

Andy Garcia booted a 24-yard field goal, and Brady Gordon added a five-yard TD run with 37 seconds left before halftime. A Lucas Jackson fumble recovery at the Rangers 44 set up Gordon’s TD, as the stout defensive effort held a potent Greenwood offense to no points and 84 yards total offense in the first half.

“Our defense did a tremendous job in that first half,” said Benbrook head coach Cody Slater. “And our offense capitalized on the turnovers.”

“We made some mistakes in the second half that we need to clean up,” added Coach Slater. “Can’t say enough about these guys. Just a tremendous job by everybody.”

Barton had a five-yard TD pass to Kale Toberny late in the third quarter, and Garcia added a 38-yard fourth-period field goal to go with Barton’s eight-yard TD run with 3:04 left in the game.

That was enough offense to offset five second-half TDs from Greenwood quarterback Lincoln Madrid, who had scoring runs of 18 and eight yards, and hurling three TD passes to Cade Rowoldt (26, 34, 31 yards).

The latter score came with 2:01 left in the game. Carpenter recovered a Greenwood onside attempt on the final kickoff, and Benbrook was forced to punt back to Greenwood.

The Rangers reached the Bobcats 43 yard line, but an Adrian Cardenas sack as time expired ended the game and sent Benbrook into the Regional round.

Barton had a tremendous night in leading the Benbrook offense, rushing for 114 yards on 16 carries and two TDs while passing for 146 yards (10 of 14) and another score.

“Give credit to our offensive line,” said Barton. “They did a phenomenal job in the run game and pass protection.”

Running back Brady Gordon finished with a game-high 137 rushing yards on 29 carries and one score.

“It was an amazing win,” said Gordon. “Everybody contributed. Defense was incredible in the first half. They got us off to a great start. Offensive line did a super job.”

The Bobcats feature a powerful one-two running back tandem of Gordon and junior Carlos Harris, each of whom has eclipsed 1,000-yard rushing seasons entering this game. Harris scored the game’s first TD, but was later injured in the first quarter and did not return.

“I’ve been told it is a lower calf contusion,” said Slater. “We will know more after he is evaluated, and go from there. He is such a tremendous player.”

Kade Cross grabbed three passes for 62 yards to lead the Benbrook receiving corps.

Junior quarterback Lincoln Madrid accounted for all five Greenwood (10-2) TDs -- three passing (26, 34, 21 yards) to Cade Rowoldt, who hauled in seven passes for 119 yards all coming in the second half. Madrid rushed for a pair of scores, finishing with a team-leading 117 rushing yards and adding 227 more through the air on 16 of 25 with two picks.

It has been a historical season for Benbrook. The team’s 8-0 start was the best ever. The 11 wins is the program’s most victories and only double-digit win season. The 35-24 bi-district win over Mineral Wells was the program’s first playoff win after opening-round losses in 2018, 2020 and 2021.

Benbrook advances to the 4A Division II Region 1 semifinal next week versus Brock or Lubbock Estacado, with details forthcoming.

“Whoever we play, we will be prepared,” said Slater. “We’ll be ready.”