Kilgore drops district opener to Eagles

UPSET AT HOME — Kilgore High School dropped a 35-17 decision to Lindale on Friday night here at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium in the District 14-4A opener. Top: Kilgore running back Frank Reddic breaks free from Lindale defenders. Reddic had 170 yards and a touchdown on the night. Above: Kilgore defensive back C.J. Gary (10) defends Lindale receiver Logan Lawrence. The Ragin' Red (4-2 overall, 0-1 in district play) visit Henderson this Friday. The district road each year is a long and winding one.

And in this particular season, that might be a good thing for the Kilgore High School Bulldogs.

Lindale, a new District 14-4A rival for Kilgore, hung around early, then made big plays late, and left R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium with a 35-17 win in a game that felt like, at least until the fourth quarter, that it could have gone either way.

The Bulldogs, now, will try to regroup. Kilgore (4-2 overall, 0- 1 in district play) visit Henderson on Friday night. Lindale moves to 6-0 on the season, and has a tough task ahead Friday night at Whitehouse.

Photos by Lester Murray "We knew (Lindale) was for real, that they were a good football team," Kilgore head coach Mike Vallery said. "They came in here, didn't make many mistakes, we did make some mistakes and it cost us. Hopefully, our kids will realize that every week once you get to district play, it's going to be a battle."

Kilgore got on the scoreboard first in the first quarter, a sixplay drive over almost four minutes. Tailback Frank Reddic had a pair of runs totaling 41 yards on the drive, and the biggest play was a 15-yard pass to senior receiver Andrew Ector for the touchdown by quarterback Steven McBryde. Ryan Bustin's extra point gave KHS the 7-0 lead with 3:20 left in the first quarter.

Lindale put together an impressive drive of their own, beginning on the first play of the second quarter. The Eagles began at their own 13-yard-line, threw the ball on three straight plays and picked up 22 yards, got a one-handed catch by Logan Lawrence for 13 more, and another pass play for 20 yards down to the Kilgore 25.

Lawrence did the scoring honors, going across the middle for a 12-yard pass from quarterback Nathan Simmons. The extra point tied the game with 6:30 left, and neither team would threaten again in the half, although KHS missed six points just barely when a pass glazed the fingertips of an open Xavian Sanders at the goal line, but Sanders just couldn't pull it in.

Kilgore's first offensive possession of the second half was a nine-play drive over the course of about five minutes of game time. The Bulldogs saw almost the exact same play as the Sanders play on this drive when Ken Smith, lined up at wide receiver, couldn't haul in a pass in the end zone for a sure six points. Kilgore couldn't convert

on third and 12, and settled for a Ryan Bustin 38-yard field goal that was good, and gave the Ragin' Red a 10-7 advantage with 7:39 left in the quarter.

Simmons put his legs to work on the next Eagles' drive, rumbling for 17 yards on a third-and-2 play, and then two plays later, the Eagles got a 22-yard run from Matt Broussard, the backup quarterback. Keandre Ross, Lindale's starting running back, would score on a 3-yard play with 3:27 left in the third quarter, putting Lindale in front 14-10. That was the only time Kilgore has trailed in the second half this season except in the eventual loss to Marshall.

Kilgore took the lead back on a 1-yard touchdown by Reddic early in the fourth quarter. Reddic rushed for 170 yards on 26 carries, 102 of it in the first half.

But the Bulldogs' lead wouldn't last long. Lindale got a 16-yard pass play from Simmons to Lawrence, then benefitted from a pass interference play that allowed the Eagles to move to Kilgore's 30. Tailback Traveon Ray broke free for a 30-yard score with 8:23 left, and Lindale led by four, 21-17.

Lindale didn't really stop the Kilgore rushing attack all night, and the Bulldogs were putting together what looked to be another go-ahead score when a fumble cost them big-time. Lindale recovered on Kilgore's 26, and Broussard scored on a 5-yard run four plays later. That severely dented any Kilgore hopes of winning, and an interception by Broussard, playing defensive back, nailed that door shut. Broussard returned the pick 46 yards for a touchdown, and put Lindale in front, 35-17.

Simmons completed 17-of-30 passes for 163 yards and the touchdown.

The Ragin' Red will try to rebound from the loss. Last season, Kilgore had just one district defeat (in the rain at Nacogdoches) and bounced back to win the district championship.

The Bulldogs need to finish in the top four teams in the district to make the playoffs, and face a winless Henderson team this Friday. Kilgore hosts Whitehouse in what looks to be a huge game Oct. 24, visits Jacksonville Oct. 31, and finishes the regular season Nov. 7 at home against Nacogdoches.
Scores of interest
Lindale 35, Kilgore 17
Harleton 28, Sabine 24
Alto 47, Overton 6
West Rusk 46, Elkhart 0
Leverett's Chapel 63, Iredell
6
Nacogdoches 22, Henderson
12
Whitehouse 25, Jacksonville
21
Longview 51, Mount Pleasant
7
Marshall 58, Pine Tree 7
Texas High 59, Sulphur
Springs 25
Tatum 37, Gladewater 32
Carthage 47, Center 7