Weatherford beats Paschal 31-18

The Weatherford Kangaroos defeated Fort Worth Paschal 31-18 Thursday, Sept. 10, at the historic Farrington Field.
The Roos won in large part thanks to a 21-0 third quarter that changed the momentum of the game.
The game started with Weatherford taking the opening kickoff and methodically driving down the field before quarterback Braelyn Jones, fresh off a three-touchdown game the previous week against Azle, scored on a short run to put the Roos up 7-0.
The Panthers responded with their own long drive as tough running back Truman Shelton and tall receiver/tight end Wyatt Bryant kept the chains moving for Paschal. The Panthers saw Shelton punch the ball in from two yards out on the first play of the second quarter.

Weatherford did get some solace as defensive end Quenton Martinez came through to block the extra point to keep the Roos in front.
The rest of the second quarter passed with little action until the final two minutes when the Panther offense was able to sustain another drive thanks to the hard running of Shelton and change-of-pace back Wendinda Sama.

Shelton scored another goal line touchdown to give the Panthers the lead. Weatherford's defense was able to keep Paschal from scoring on a two-point conversion to keep the score 12-7.
Coming out of halftime, the Weatherford defense did its part by forcing a punt on the Panthers’ first drive. The Roos’ offense, not able to connect on a couple of big pass plays in the first half, saw Jones find receiver Jakob Hemphill for an electrifying 79-yard touchdown catch-and-run. Weatherford was back up 14-12 and more importantly the energy for the team was back up.
On Weatherford's next offensive possession, Jones again found Hemphill, this time on a deep post route where he got behind the safety for a 38-yard touchdown catch. The Roos lead increased to 21-12.
Weatherford was not done yet. On the ensuing kickoff, Shelton fumblec, and the Roos Joel Bryan jumped on the ball. Only 30 seconds later Weatherford's offense was on goal line where running back D.J. Quimby scored from one yard out.

Weatherford’s lead was now up to 28-12.
Paschal's team was falling apart with penalties, drops and perhaps frustration at how its fortunes had changed.

The Panther offense did have a successful drive to end the third quarter, but the Roo defense bulled up and forced a turnover on downs at their own 14 yard line heading into the fourth quarter with all of the momentum in the world.
That momentum cooled off a bit in the fourth quarter. Weatherford did add some points midway through as kicker Joseph Marino connected from 26 yards out on his first field goal of the season to increase the Roos’ lead to 31-12.
The Panthers showed some heart late with Shelton scoring on a short run and the defense recovering a fumble in the final two minutes.
Several improvements shown during the game that have been early season problems but were not this game was ball security and special teams.

The Roos were able to keep hold of the ball all the way until the final two minutes when a fumble got away. Compared to four turnovers in the first two games, it was an improvement.
For special teams, besides that near muffed punt, the only negative things were a couple of kickoff returns that were returned near midfield, but other than that, that side was more than solid. Marino continued to make all of his extra points and even added his first field goal of the season while the kickoff coverage unit got the one turnover of the night and helped further put the game away.
Weatherford head coach Marshall Williams said he has noticed a trend so far this season of his team playing better as the game goes along and pointed to some good qualities that have led to it.
"I just don't think we are a team where we are going to break the will of our opponent in the first or second quarter because we lit the world on fire on the scoreboard," Williams said. "I think we are going to be explosive as the year goes on, and I think we showed we can be explosive tonight. We have to continue to play defense, run the football, and take our shots when we do."
Weatherford is 2-1 heading into district play and will have an extra day to prepare. The next game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1,8 at Arlington Martin.