KENEDY – With a share of the District 16-A Division I still up for grabs, the Kenedy Lions and the Ben Bolt Badgers fought hard in a tough and emotional football game on Friday night. Though emotions were high during the game, the Badgers proved to be too much as they handed the Lions a 28-14 loss to end the regular season, though both teams have qualified for the postseason. “It was an intense game, very hard-hitting,” said Kenedy head coach Lin Havron.

In the first half, the Badgers and the Lions kept it close. The Badgers drew first blood with 2:02 left in the first quarter as quarterback Albert Gonzales connected with receiver Andres Alaniz on a 33-yard touchdown pass with Robert Lovie kicking the extra point. Lovie was a perfect 4 for 4 on PAT attempts for Ben Bolt. In the second quarter, with 1:42 to go, the Lions got on the scoreboard as junior quarterback Rolie Zepeda fired the ball to senior receiver Tristan Mejia for a 23-yard score, though the missed PAT left the lead at 7-6. The Badgers countered with seven seconds left as Gonzales connected with receiver Eric Salinas from 3 yards out to put the lead at 14-6 at halftime. The Badgers extended the lead in the third quarter with 1:33 on the clock as Gonzales hit receiver Steven Pena in stride for the 35-yard score. The Badgers final score of the game came with 3:41 left in the fourth quarter as running back Gabriel Ramirez punched it in on a 2-yard run. The Lions last score came with 1:11 left to play as Zepeda and Mejia scored once more on a 5-yard pass and Zepeda connected with senior receiver Emilio Mendoza on thee two-point conversion to put the final score at 28-14.

Statistically, the Lions gained 205 yards of total offense, with 72 rushing over 25 attempts and 133 passing over 23 attempts. The Badgers, by comparison, gained 321 yards of total offense, with 125 rushing over 29 attempts and 196 passing over 32 attempts. Penalty flags were thrown constantly throughout the contest as the Badgers were flagged 8 times for 90 total yards and the Lions were flagged 16 times for 200 total yards. “We lost our composure and the team that loses their composure will lose,” said Havron. “We’re looking to keep our composure going forward.”

Though the regular season is over, the Lions earned a playoff berth by virtue of finishing in third place in district. This week, the Lions will face the Shiner Comanches in the Bi-District round at Eschenburg Field in Floresville. “They have tradition on their side, but they’re still a growing 5-5 team,” said Havron.” Their option offense gives us a challenge, so we have to play good assignment defense. With a short week to prepare, it’s a challenge, but we’re excited.” Kenedy is the designated Home team for the contest. Tickets at the gate are $7 for adults, $5 for students, with free admission for senior citizens. District passes will be accepted. On-campus parking is $5. Kickoff in Floresville is set for Thursday, November 10 at 7:30PM.