In a game they had to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, Weatherford prevailed against L.D. Bell Friday night, Oct. 6, at Kangaroo Stadium, 26-21.
Senior quarterback C.J. Thornton, returning after a month out due to injury, threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Colton McClure, a 76-yarder with 5:10 remaining in the game. McClure finished with 128 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
JoJo Polk and the Kangaroo offensive line gashed the Blue Raider defense. Polk rushed for 122 yards on 29 carries.
The Blue Raiders had some rushing success of their own. Quarterback Maddox Olatunde rushed for 102 yards with one touchdown. But the Weatherford defense was stingy, holding Bell to 110 yards passing and 298 total yards.
Weatherford went into halftime with a 14-7 lead after two Will Jordan touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving.
Olatunde tied it up with a 54-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Bell took a 21-14 lead with a 20-yard score, an Olatunde pass to Ravin Takano.
In the fourth quarter, Weatherford cut Bell’s lead to one point with a 23-yard connection between Thornton and McClure, but the extra point attempt failed. The same pair connected for the game-winner and the Roo defense kept the Blue Raiders at bay to seal the win.
Thornton finished with 15 completions on 23 attempts with no interceptions, 221 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Weatherford improved to 4-2 overall and is tied for third in District 3-6A with a 2-1 league record.
The Kangaroos have a tough task Friday, Oct. 13, at North Crowley. The 6-0 Panthers are ranked No. 6 in the state in Class 6A. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Team stats
Rushing yards: Weatherford 197, Bell 188.
Passing yards: Weatherford 221, Bell 110.
Caught-thrown-intercepted.: Weatherford 15-23-0, Bell 11-20-1.
Fumbles lost: Weatherford 0, Bell 1.
Penalties-yards: Weatherford 9-83, Bell 6-10.
Weatherford Individual leaders
Passing: CJ Thornton 15-23, 3 TD, 0 INT, 221 yards.
Rushing: JoJo Polk 29 carries, 122 yards; Xavier Holder 2 carries, 24 yards.
Receiving: Colton McClure 5 catches for 127 yards, 2 TDs; Xavier Holder 3 catches, 35 yards.
Defense: Andrew Groh 5 tackles, Asa Dowling 4 tackles.
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