Maintaining early success priority for Linden-Kildare

HARLETON, Texas—Linden Kildare is boasting an unblemished record heading into district play.

The Tigers (4-0) will put it on the line as they travel to Harleton to take on the Wildcats at 7:30 p.m. It is the District 11-2A, Division I opener for both teams.

“We look at the game against Harleton as a new season,” Linden Kildare head coach Derek Simmons said. “I know it’s their homecoming, and they’ve struggled with some injuries . ... We feel like we need to jump out early, get them down and get them out of their comfort zone.”

Ladavion Johnson, Northeast Texas’ leading rusher, will be pivotal in the Tigers’ offense. He has 643 yards on 85 carries and six touchdowns. He averages 7.6 yards per touch.

Ty Patterson, one of the area’s best two-way starters, has made 85 tackles so far on the season and scored nine TDs on offense. Patterson has brought back four returns for scores, while five end zone visits have come from receptions. Patterson has 13 catches for 228 yards—an average of 17.5 yards per grab.

“I am pleased with coming out of pre-district play with an undefeated record. I am still not convinced that we’ve played our best game yet. We have spurts where we play really well and spurts where we build a lead and don’t play as well in the second half.”

Starting quarterback Jacob Owen has thrown for 604 yards on 38-of-72 passing with 11 touchdowns. Three of those scores have come by the hands of receiver Red Tyson, who has 14 grabs for 165 yards.

“Red caught two touchdown passes for us last week at slot receiver, runs our fly sweep and does a good job of blocking on the perimeter,” Simmons said. “Gunner Minor, at left guard, had played some junior varsity for us last year. He was an unknown factor coming in and has done a good job for us. Landon Liles and Vincent Peters, two sophomore defensive linemen, play side by side and have been getting better each week. Those guys have been a pleasant surprise for us.”