KENEDY – After starting the season 2-0, the Kenedy Lions looked to continue their winning ways as they welcomed the Skidmore-Tynan Bobcats to town on Friday night. In a game that saw the Lions and the Bobcats keep it closely contested throughout, the Lions showed why their defense is a force to be reckoned with. Taking advantage of different miscues by the Bobcats, the Lions managed to keep Skidmore-Tynan out of the end zone, improve their record to 3-0 and win by the score of 14-0 for their second shutout victory of the season. “That is our strength,” said Kenedy head coach Lin Havron. “We take a lot of pride in that. We had some stops when we needed it. The defense stepped up to the challenge and kept us in the ball game.”

The Lions only scored once in each half, with the defense making plays in between. The first half’s score came with 8:20 on the clock in the first quarter as Rolie Zepeda connected with Dominic Cruz for a 13-yard touchdown through the air, with Weston Hallmark’s extra point putting the lead at 7-0. Both teams traded possessions throughout the game, though the Lions would not relent and constantly denied the Bobcats any momentum. The second half’s score came with 7:38 to go in the fourth quarter as Eddie Villarreal capped the Kenedy drive with a 2-yard run for the score. Hallmark’s kick sailed through the uprights, putting the score at 14-0, a score that stood as time expired.

Statistically, the Lions gained 142 yards of total offense, with 51 yards rushing over 29 carries and 91 yards passing over 7 completions. The Bobcats, by comparison, gained 131 yards of total offense, with 84 yards rushing over 37 carries and 47 yards passing over four completions. In terms of penalties, the Lions were flagged five times for 50 total yards and the Bobcats committed seven penalties for 60 total yards. “We have to get better on offense,” said Havron. “We just have to work on depth a little more.”

This week, the Lions will have their Homecoming game as they host the Woodsboro Eagles, who are also 3-0. “We have to execute. It’ll be fun to play against them. It’ll be an exciting week.” Kickoff in Kenedy is set for Friday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m.