Roos host Vols in home finale

The Weatherford Kangaroos have their playoff destiny in their own hands heading into the final two games.

The Roos sit at 3-2 in District 3-6A and are tied with Arlington for third place, with Arlington Bowie one game behind at 2-3 after losing to Arlington last week.

Weatherford will play both teams to finish the season, starting with Bowie on Friday, Oct. 30, at home. The Volunteers are on a three-game losing skid after starting off district with one-score victories against Arlington Lamar and Granbury. 

Bowie needs to win both of its final two games to make the playoffs. If the Roos lose, it will likely set up a winner-take-all scenario against Arlington in the final week, with the winner earning a playoff spot and the loser probably staying home for the playoffs.

That is what is at stake for Weatherford, but the team is looking to win this week against the Volunteers and not have to worry about all the other scenarios.

Bowie quarterback Mason Nichols has been productive, passing for 1,477 yards, although he has thrown seven touchdowns against eight interceptions. His top two targets are receivers AJ Birdow (47 receptions, 475 yards, two touchdowns) and brother Maxwell Nichols (39 receptions, 454 yards, one touchdown).

While the rushing attack has not racked up as many yards, leading rushers Zaeden Smith (377 yards) and Laquentis Jones Jr. (255 yards) have combined to score 11 touchdowns.

Roo coach Marshall Williams is going to be leaning on his defensive line to get pressure on the quarterback.

“I think our defensive line has an opportunity to have a big night,” Williams said. “I know they are eager.  I think the key to victory for our defense is really just disrupting the play of the quarterback.”

On defense, the Volunteers have given up 30 or more points in three of their five district games, but two of those games were against district leaders Arlington Martin and Aledo.

“We have to be efficient with the football because their defensive line is pretty good,” Williams said. “They have a real good mike linebacker (Darryl Nash). We have to get D.J. (Quimby) involved. We have to be efficient with dispersing the ball.”

That will fall to Weatherford quarterback Braelyn Jones, who has made strides nearly every week for the Roos.

“I’m putting a lot on Braelyn this week,” Williams said. “There is going to be a lot on his plate in terms of dispersing the ball, particularly run plays when he has options to get rid of the ball and disperse it. We are going to need to run the ball effectively with both Braelyn and D.J.”

It is expected rain all day and during the game. With that in the forecast, Williams said he knows turnovers could play a major factor as his team has had trouble holding on to the ball this season.

“To me it’s about protecting the football,” Williams said. “It’s going to be about execution.”

The Roos have playoffs in their sights, which Williams said he hopes can wipe off the stench from last week’s 70-14 loss at Aledo.

“I know Aledo was Aledo,” Williams said. “We kind of got overwhelmed. I think if certain things go a different way in the first half, things might have been a lot closer, especially with a lot more momentum, excitement, and confidence coming out of halftime. But it didn’t work out that way.”

Williams said he wants his team to focus on what the team can still accomplish.

“The message I sent them over the weekend was there shouldn’t be an issue of being on-time or being here or anything like that,” Williams said. “There is so much to play for. These kids and this community should be excited Weatherford is going into week nine with playoff bound opportunities. Who wouldn’t want to do it? Playoffs have started for us now.”