WEATHERFORD – For the sixth straight season, the Kangaroos got the best of the Blue Raiders and for the second year in a row, they did it with a rally in the fourth quarter.
CJ Thornton connected on a 76-yard touchdown pass to Colton McClure to put Weatherford in front with under six minutes left to play and the Roos went on to win 26-21 on Friday in District 3-6A.
Weatherford improves to 2-1 in district and 4-2 overall. The Kangaroos will look to extend their winning streak in Week 8 when they travel to Crowley ISD Stadium to face state-ranked and district leader North Crowley.
Bell dropped to 1-2 and 4-2.
The Blue Raiders look to snap a two-game skid when they travel to Boswell in Week 8.
Tied at 14-14 midway through the third quarter, Bell grabbed its first lead of the night when QB Maddox Olatunde hit Ravin Takano on a 20-yard TD pass for a 21-14 edge with 4:02 showing on the clock.
Olatunde tied the game at 14 on a 54-yard TD run with eight minutes left in the third quarter.
On the ensuing Weatherford drive, the Bell defense stepped up by forcing a three-and-out. Olatunde made a couple moves on a third down run to give Bell a first-and-goal at the 10. After a holding put the ball back at the 20, Olatunde and Takano connected for the touchdown.
Bell continued to lead 21-14 after three quarters.
Weatherford scored a touchdown 19 seconds into the fourth quarter when Thornton threw a 23-yard TD pass to McClure. But the extra point was no good as Bell’s lead was 21-20. Bell drove on its next possession and crossed midfield following an 18-yard run by Kenny Earskin.
But the drive stalled and Bell was forced to punt.
However, the Raiders downed it at the 3.
The Roos only gained three yards and went three-and-out, and punted it back to Bell. But Weatherford’s D forced a three-and-out and got the ball back at its own 24. On the very next play, McClure punched it in for six and the lead. The 2-point attempt was no good.
McClure had four catches for 109 yards.
Thornton was 16 of 23 for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He threw an 18-yard TD to Will Jordan that gave the Roos a 14-7 lead in the second quarter. JoJo Polk led all rushers with 113 yards on 25 carries and added 47 yards on six catches.
Jordan gave Weatherford a 7-0 lead with a 4-yard TD run.
Olatunde had 92 yards on nine carries, threw for 128 yards and accounted for two TDs. Earskin rushed for 60 yards on seven carries and added 46 yards on three catches. His 18-yard TD run in the first quarter tied the game at 7-7.
Weatherford led 14-7 at halftime and almost bumped it to a two-touchdown advantage, but with four seconds left and Polk in the wildcat formation, a run attempt was stuffed by Bell just short of the goal line.
The Roos scored 15 points in the fourth quarter last season against Bell to force overtime and then went on to win the game 41-38.
