Kerens Runs All Over Linden-Kildare for 48-20 Bi-District Victory

BIG SANDY -- Kerens rolled up 509 yards on the ground and the Bobcats erupted for 34 second-half points en route to a 48-20 win over Linden-Kildare in a Class 2A Division I bi-district matchup Thursday night.

Buddy Sayles led Kerens (7-4) with 226 yards and three touchdowns on only 15 carries for Kerens, which faces the Groveton-Carlisle winner in the area round.

Kerens took a 14-0 lead into halftime before erupting in the second half, sparked by a 67-yard touchdown by Sayles in the third quarter and a 21-yarder to ice the game witih 3:48 left in the final period.

De'Qualyn Lawrence scored on both sides of the ball for Kerens, rushing for a 4-yard touchdown in the third quarter and returning a fumble 25 yards for another score in the fourth.

Linden-Kildare (8-3) cut Kerens' lead to 14-7 lead early in the second half on a 37-yard touchdown pass from Marty Johnson to Jakevian Rose before Sayles extended the lead. The Tigers were again able to get within seven early in the fourth quarter on another Johnson-Rose connection, but Kerens was able to put the game away.