Texans fall in playoff tune-up

Until last Friday night, the Wimberley Texans were prepared to play their season without playing at home since September 18 against Fredericksburg.

But a cancellation by Midland Greenwood and a manic schedule change during the week saw the Wimberley Texans seniors play one last final game at Texan Stadium.

In a hard-fought battle between two teams preparing for their respective playoff seasons, it was the Kennedale Wildcats holding off the Wimberley Texans in a 17-14 victory.

Though the close loss against the Wildcats will sting, the ability to play one home game and celebrate Senior Night and Homecoming is one Texan players and coaches won’t forget.

“It was great to be back here,” Head Football Coach Doug Warren said after the game. “Great for our kiddos to play at home against a really good football team. Disappointed that we didn’t make the plays down the stretch to get it done but it was nice to be back home in front of the home crowd”.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Texans offense drove on Kennedale well but a sack on third down forced Wimberley to punt.

It wasn’t long before the Wildcats struck first blood as sophomore quarterback Jeremiah Meyers found senior tight end Zach Thetford for the 28-yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead.

Both defenses for the Texans and the Wildcats stuck their heels in the ground as neither offense seemed to gain momentum.

After forcing Kennedale to punt once again, Wimberley had finally got on the board as senior quarterback Matthew Tippie found senior wide receiver Ty Pruett for the 68-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.

Another Kennedale punt forced by the Code Red defense led to another score for the Texans as Tippie found Pruett against this time on a 21-yard touchdown pass to take the lead at 14-7.

A fumble by Kennedale gave Wimberley another chance to add on to their lead shortly before the half but the field goal attempt was tipped and led the kick to be short which left the halftime score 14-7 Texans.

After the Texan defense forced another three and out on Kennedale’s opening drive, the Wimberley offense looked to again extend their lead. But an interception ended the drive.

The turnover turned out to be costly as Meyers scored again this time on a 36-yard touchdown run to take the lead at 15-14 after the Wildcats scored on the two-point conversion.

After trading a couple of possessions, Kennedale looked to seal the game as the Wildcats entered goal line territory during the fourth quarter.

Code Red defense held firm, however, and stuffed the Wildcats four times and denied them the score.

But the Kennedale defense took advantage of the field position the Texans were in and forced a safety to extend the lead at 17-14.

The Texans defense forced another three and out after the free-kick and gave the Wimberley Offense a chance to at least tie the game.

Though the Texans were able to drive inside Kennedale territory, Wimberley was unable to send the game into overtime as the field goal sailed wide left leading to the 17-14 victory for the Wildcats.

The Wimberley Texans will close out the regular season on the road against the Austin Achieve Polar Bears.