Game-by-game recap — 2009 Roos

Weatherford 34,

The Colony 31

Record: 1-0

The Roos find out what it is like to come from behind in the opener at the Colony. Leading at the half, Weatherford falls behind by three heading into the final quarter, when both defenses stiffened in the fourth period. The Kangaroos overcome four lost fumbles in the game and mount a late drive, capped by a 15-yard run and dive across the goal line by substitute slotback Tyler Henderson, inserted on the play due to a gassed Trooper Reynolds, who had made runs in the late victory march to the end zone.

Arl. Lamar 41, Weatherford 21

Record: 1-1

With late scores by the Vikes belying the actual closeness of the contest, Weatherford’s three turnovers prove costly in the non-district match. Only 20 yards separates the total offensive production for both teams.

Slotback Colton Kamper averages more than 10 yards per carry in the effort, leading the well-distributed Roos rushing attack with 83 yards.

Weatherford 28, Aledo 27

Record: 2-1

Despite Aledo sophomore phenom Johnathan Gray’s 155-yard effort, the Roos out-produce the Bearcats’ offense, sending the contest into an overtime period on a rainy, storm-delayed night. In the first of the overtime possessions, Aledo scored a touchdown bu the point-after attempt was blocked.

On the Roos’ possession,Weatherford quarterback Mitchael Rucker snuck in from the 1-yard line to tie the game. Josh Blanton’s kick sailed true and WHS recorded its first-ever win over the Class 4A powerhouse.

Roos fullback Jaren Gentry topped 115 yards in the game. Although already a late night due to the suspended play, the Weatherford players lingered on the field for celebrations.

Coppell 42, Weatherford 0

Record 2-2

The ecstasy of the Aledo win quickly turned to agony when Coppell came to visit the following week. The Cowboys topped 500 yards on offense, and Weatherford could not keep pace. The talented Coppell bunch, who went deep into the Class 5A playoffs, stifled Weatherford’s triple option attack, carding 31 first downs to Weatherford’s nine.

Weatherford 35, Paschal 28

Record: 3-2

In the District 3-5A opener, Weatherford engrained its pattern of nail-biting victories in a dramatic come-from-behind win over the Panthers. The Roos, down 28-14 entering the final period, scored 21 unanswered points late in the fourth quarter, the game winner coming on a 30-yard, muscle-bound jaunt by Mitchael Rucker. WHS outpaced the Panthers offense with nearly 500 yards on the ground and in the air.

Abilene 33, Weatherford 14

Record: 3-3

In another contest not nearly as one-sided as the final tally indicates, the Roos defense frustrated Abilene’s early efforts to remain perilously close to the state-ranked Eagles after three quarters. Bad field position plagued the WHS boys in the final stanza, as Abilene added 17 unanswered points and swelled its offensive stats.

Weatherford’s offense tallied more than 220 yards rushing against the stout Abilene defense. Even with the late Eagles’ surge, the margin was the closest any other district team would come to the District 3-5A champs.

Haltom 23, Weatherford 0 Record: 3-4

In a lack-luster performance at the old Birdville stadium, the Roos suffered their first consecutive losses of the season, falling to 1-2 in district play.

The dreaded turnover bug revisited Weatherford in a terrible fashion, as eight Roos fumbles produced five turnovers for the Buffs, who also picked off an errant pass. Well under its usual ground production, one of the few bright spots for Weatherford was its most prolific passing production of the season, throwing for nearly 150 yards on the night.

Weatherford 35, Richland 34

Record 4-4

A stellar performance from Weatherford fullback Jaren Gentry (156 yards) and an interesting late-game decision by Richland produced yet another breath-taking finish, with the Roos knocking off the preseason heir-apparent to the runner-up spot in the district, and handing the Rebels their first district loss.

After falling behind in the third quarter, giving up a slim halftime margin, the Roos scored late in the final period, pulling to within five with time running out. Richland, instead yielding a punt to put the Roos deep in their own territory, chose to try to put the game away with a pass.

Weatherford defensive back Brandon Segura snagged and made a nifty return deep into the Rebels’ territory.

Setting up at the 18-yard line with just over forty seconds left, Mitchael Rucker snuck in for the win. Jaren Gentry topped 150 yards rushing for a second time.

Weatherford 26, North Crowley 22

Record: 5-4

Jaren Gentry completed his third 150-plus rushing night with a 17-yard scoring run in the final minute to boost Weatherford into the lead on a North Crowley senior night that saw the Panthers overcome a 12-0 WHS halftime lead.

Again, Weatherford came from two scores down to overtake a final-period deficit. North Crowley’s final possession got the panthers to the Weatherford 6-yard line with two ticks left on the clock, but the Roos Gabe Garner rushed in to end the threat and sack the NC quarterback as the clock expired. Reversing the trend from games six and seven, the Roos won back-to-back games for the first time of the season.

Burleson 30, Weatherford 27

Final Record: 5-5

In a playoff scenario that defies logic and consistency, the Roos entered the final district game with a 3-2 District 3-5A mark. A win would give the WHS boys at least a share of second. A ‘small loss’ and they would be out.

A loss by 14 or more to Haltom, with a Haltom win, gets them in. The Roos were not concerned with losing, big or otherwise, and showed as much in their sixth bid to overcome a late-game deficit to win.

The Roos completed the first task of the comeback, scoring two consecutive touchdowns, courtesy of runs by Trooper Reynolds and Mitchael Rucker, to take the lead. The Elks had time enough left for a final drive, and they used it, giving the ball to Blake Smith, who finished the night with 235 yards and finished the scoring with a 4-yard run with seconds remaining. Slotback Colton Kamper had the big night for the Roos, finishing with 125 yards.