James Kenan’s I. Covarruibus kicks the PAT following a touchdown drive in Friday’s game against the Saints.
Southern Wayne’s No. 3, M. Kornegay, powers through defenders with a strong run for the Saints.
James Kenan’s No. 11, E. Avent, scores a touchdown run in the first half against the Saints.
James Kenan and Southern Wayne line up for the opening play of the game during Friday’s matchup.
No. 3 for the Tigers, J.Hall, scores a touchdown run of his own in the first half against Southern Wayne.
GOLDSBORO — It was a perfect night for football Friday as the Southern Wayne Saints hosted the James Kenan Tigers in a non-conference showdown. Just one year after making their playoff berth, the Tigers continue to build on their winning culture, while the Saints are laying their foundation, brick by brick, despite coming up short on the scoreboard.
The Tigers dominate with a 56-3 victory.
Before the game, Saints head coach Stephen Allard shared his thoughts on his young team’s preparation. “We’ve been practicing hard every day and preparing for this game no matter the outcome,” he said.
His game plan was to set the tone early with competitive play, and while the results weren’t in the Saints’ favor, the growth of his squad was evident throughout the night.
First Half: Tigers Take Control
Coach Tim Grady and the Tigers wasted no time making an impact. The Tigers struck first in the opening quarter with a touchdown at the 10:21 mark. After forcing two fumbles, they extended their lead with another score at 7:06 to make it 21-0.
In the second quarter, Kenan’s running game continued to dominate. At 10:30, they found the end zone again, and later, quarterback E. Avent punched in a sneak from the 8-yard line with 2:44 left in the half. By the 8:01 mark, James Kenan had recovered yet another fumble from the Saints’ quarterback L.Denning, setting up another scoring opportunity.
Despite promising moments in the running game from Southern Wayne, the Tigers pushed their lead to 42-0 just before halftime.
After Halftime: Saints Show Promise
The third quarter opened with some chaos as James Kenan attempted an onside kick, which the Saints initially recovered. On the first play, however, the Tigers fumbled the ball back, giving Southern Wayne another chance.
This time, the Saints began to build some offensive rhythm as Denning got some good touches to move the ball, connecting with No. 2 J. Carr. At the 5:53 mark, they moved the ball effectively, showing resilience and positive energy. Their effort paid off with a field goal, finally putting them on the board and cutting the deficit to 42-3 by the end of the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter: Tigers Seal the Win
The Tigers weren’t done yet. At 9:37 in the fourth quarter, James Kenan’s No. 6, Z. Smith, broke free for a long touchdown run to extend the lead to 49-3. Moments later, an interception set up another scoring opportunity. No. 7 K. Murray capped it off with a 40-yard quarterback sneak, sealing a 56-3 victory for the Tigers.
The James Kenan Tigers once again showed why they are a playoff caliber team, executing in all phases of the game and capitalizing on turnovers. On the other side, the Southern Wayne Saints, though still developing, displayed heart and flashes of promise, particularly in their second half adjustments and strong running game.
For both teams, the night was about more than just the scoreboard; it was about building and reinforcing culture. The Tigers are strengthening a winning tradition, while the Saints are proving that their foundation is steadily being laid for the future.
After the Game
After the game, an interview with Coach Allard of the Southern Wayne Saints proved to be very impactful. Despite the team’s loss, he expressed his gratitude for the tremendous fan support.
Allard praised his players for staying positive and giving maximum effort throughout all four quarters. He emphasized the long-term vision for the program, stating, “We are building this team brick by brick, no matter the outcome.” His message highlighted resilience, growth, and the importance of laying a strong foundation for the future.
Looking ahead, the Southern Wayne Saints will face the Spring Creek Gators in an in-county rivalry matchup on Aug. 29. Meanwhile, the James Kenan Tigers will have a bye week before taking on Southern Nash on Sept. 5.
