Springtown gets first win vs. Kennedale since 1989 with big night from RB Rickett
Springtown running back Cameron Rickett did everything he could to defeat defending Class 4A Division I state finalist Kennedale on Friday night.
Rickett rushed for two scores, caught a TD pass, and set up another score with a 60-yard halfback pass as the Porcupines rolled over Kennedale 30-0 at Wildcat Stadium in a game that was ended with 6:37 left due to lightning.
It was Springtown’s first win over Kennedale since 1989. Porcupine players erupted when the game was called.
Springtown (4-0) scored on each of its four possessions in the first half. Rickett sandwiched 39-yard and 10-yard scoring runs around a Brendan Hall 27 yard field goal and a 53 yard scoring reception from Sawyer Drewry. The Porcupines led 23-0 at the half.
Kennedale (2-2), which lost five of six offensive linemen off of last season’s team, had trouble moving the ball on offense all night. Springtown’s defense held the Wildcat’s rushing game to 154 yards on 41 carries and 214 total yards.
Kennedale star running back D.J. Kirven was injured with 7:05 left in the second quarter and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. Kirven had rushed eight times for 29 yards before leaving due to what looked to be a neck or back injury. Assistant coach Matt Munson said after the game that Kirven had feeling in all of his extremities and that the injury didn’t look to be serious.
Game was over when: With Kennedale trailing 17-0, the Wildcats took 16 plays to drive from their own 25 to the Springtown 17, but missed on a 37-yard field goal. Rickett threw a 60-yard halfback pass, to Kyle Lunsford, on the next play to set up his 10-yard scoring run to give the Porcupines a 23-0 lead with 2:26 left in the first half.
Play of the game: At their own 47 yard line, Rickett took a pass from Drewry in the left flat and raced 53 yards, cutting all the way across the field. The Junior broke no less than six tackles on his way to the end zone.
Offensive player of the game: Rickett rushed 12 times for 163 yards and two scores, completed one pass for 60 yards, and caught a 53-yard scoring pass. There’s not much he didn’t do.
Defensive player of the game: The whole Springtown defense played well in holding the Wildcats’ running game at bay. Kennedale used eight different ball carriers, but the most yards any could muster was by Marlete Joyner, who gained 66 yards on 13 carries.
Unsung hero of the game: Drewry executed the Springtown offense to perfection. The senior complete 5-of-8 passes for 99 yards and a score, and rushed for 79 yards on 11 carries. Drewry capped the scoring with a 4-yard run with 8:41 left in the third quarter.
What’s next? Springtown will host Graham on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. in their final non-district game before District 4-4A Division I play begins. Kennedale will open the District 6-4A Division I slate at River Oaks Castleberry at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 28.
This story was originally published September 21, 2018 at 10:47 PM.