Alvarado thoroughly defeats Kennedale to claim district championship

Senior Demarcus Belton accounted for six touchdowns -- four receiving and two rushing -- as the Alvarado Indians (9-0) captured their second straight District 6-4A Division I title with a dominating 63-3 victory over the Kennedale Wildcats Friday Nov. 7th at Wildcat Stadium.

Kennedale jumped to a quick 3-0 lead on a 31-yard Bennett Markham field goal, that was set up by a Kevonte Johnson fumble recovery on the opening kickoff.

It did not take long for Alvarado to respond, and in a very big way.

Belton capped a three-play 48-yard drive with a 24-yard receiving TD from Kam Jenkins to get the Indians scoring machine rolling.

Schyler Dethorne raced 68-yards for a TD and Belton tallied scoring runs of six and 52-yards, as Alvarado held a 28-3 lead after the opening quarter.

The Alvarado offense kept it going in the second period. Zyon Brown returned a fumble 41-yards for a TD less than four minutes into the quarter. Jenkins then connected on a pair of TD tosses -- 20 yards to Paul Rios and a three-yarder to Belton, the latter with just eight ticks left before intermission. Alvarado held a commanding 49-3 halftime lead.

Belton added third-quarter TD receptions of 14 and 19-yards -- set up by a Layne Woolard interception and Trai Captain fumble recovery, respectively -- from Jenkins that pushed the margin to 63-3, rounding out the scoring.

Jenkins finished with five TD passes, completing 12 of 16 passes for 189 yards, without an interception. That gives Jenkins 33 TD passes this season without any interceptions.

“Just remarkable job he has done all season,” said Alvarado head coach Casey Walraven. “To take over at quarterback and lead this team. He has great poise and really runs the offense with tremendous execution.”

Walraven, in his fourth season leading the program, was excited for his team.

“Back to back district titles. Back to back undefeated regular seasons,” said Walraven. “Credit the kids for all the hard work, and executing on offense and defense. And the coaching staff getting these guys ready to play each week.”

Belton, who finished with 128 rushing yards on 13 carries while adding five catches for 90 yards, continued his amazing performances for the Alvarado offense.

“Demarcus is such a tremendous player,” said Walraven. “Been a workhorse. Great running back. Great receiver.”

The 5-11 200-pound standout has accumulated mind-boggling stats through nine games -- 1,098 rushing yards and 17 TDs while grabbing a team-leading 42 passes for 974 yards and 18 scores. He also had one kickoff return TD and a punt return score this season, giving him an incredible 37 TDs in nine games. He even has one interception in very limited snaps defensively

“Team effort,” said Belton. “My first goal is the team. And our goal was to win district. And then win a state championship.”

Belton is poised to become the second player in UIL 11-man football history to record 1,000-yard seasons in both rushing and receiving yards categories.

“When he does get those historical numbers, he certainly deserves it,” said Walraven. “One of the hardest workers on the team.”

The other player to accomplish that double-double is Alvarado offensive coordinator Daniel Spencer, who accomplished the feat with Grandview, which was coached by Walraven.

Walraven said a year ago that the now-graduated Cardea Collier, who had well over 10,000 all-purpose yards -- and accounted for 75 TDs last season alone in his senior campaign -- in his three-year Alvarado career, and Spencer were the two most dynamic players he had ever coached in his 24-year head coaching career.

He said he can now add Demarcus to make it three.

“Such an amazing player, and an amazing person,” added Walraven, speaking of his standout.

Alvarado, No. 3 in the current Star-Telegram’s 4A/Private area rankings, will open the post-season against an opponent and at a date, time and location that is to be determined.

“Whoever we play, we will be ready,” said Walraven. “I really believe in this team. And we are looking to see how far we can go.”

The Alvarado defense has been an integral part of this team’s success as well, having posted three consecutive shutouts entering its matchup against Kennedale.

“Our defense has been outstanding this season,” said Walraven. “We now have a potent offense and a great defense. We think we can really make something happen in the playoffs and make a deep run.”

Alvarado held Kennedale to 92 yards total offense, including just 19 passing yards.

Kennedale (6-4) No. 8 in the current Star-Telegram’s 4A/Private area rankings, had won five straight games after a 1-3 start to the season. The Wildcats will be the district’s No. 2 seed headed to the playoffs.