James Kenan defensive coordinator John Bert Avent, left, and senior linebacker Hassan Kornegay have a quick chat during a recent game. Kornegay is the Tigers’ top tackler again this season. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
WARSAW — Focused on a season-long goal and motivated by unfinished business, James Kenan isn’t satisfied.
The Tigers clinched a share of the East Central 2A regular-season football crown with a resounding, 34-7 triumph over Southwest Onslow on Friday evening.
It’s the program’s first league crown since 2015.
However, the Tigers’ eyes are focused on long-time nemesis Wallace-Rose Hill. James Kenan (9-0 overall, 5-0 ECC) hasn’t beaten its county arch rival since Sept. 4, 2015 — a stretch of 11 consecutive losses that include three postseason meetings.
The Dawgs are 4-1 against ECC opposition this season and will undoubtedly refuse to relinquish their 2023 title.
“It’s an exciting place to be in, but we’ve got some unsettled business we need to take care of,” JK head coach Tim Grady said. “It’s been a fun ride thus far. I think they believe they can do it this year and I think it’s been a while since they’ve believed that they could truly do it.
“[Wallace] is a fun place to play … has a big-time feel to it because it’s [stadium] is so tight. Folks better get there early.”
Kickoff is 7 p.m. in Teachey.
Grady was pleased the Tigers didn’t take the tradition-rich and talented Stallions for granted during senior night at Bill Taylor Field. He urged his team not to overlook their 2-7 record.
“We did not sleep on that team,” Grady said. “They are a few plays away from being undefeated. They’ve literally missed a few plays and a few breaks. We challenged our kids because it was senior night, so we were playing with high emotion.
“I told them that we really haven’t played ‘lights out’ for four quarters yet [this season], so that was a challenge as well. I’m very proud of the boys, the effort they put into it. They never really slacked off not one minute of the game.”
Kenan scored first one.
Jeremiah Hall broke loose for a 12-yard touchdown run.
Junior quarterback Eli Avent threw a pair of second-quarter TD passes. He connected with David “Cito” Zelaya for 37 yards and zipped a 10-yard strike to Hassan Kornegay.
Avent and Zelaya hooked up for a 30-yard TD in the final period.
“Jeremiah had a fantastic night … really exploded offensively for us and made some great plays. Our offensive lot got us great movement because they [Southwest] were very good up front,” Grady said. “Hat’s off to Cito. We slipped him to the outside after CJ Hill broke his leg [against Kinston]. For him to catch those fade balls was nice, helped us open up the playbook and do more on the ground.”
Hill underwent surgery for a cracked fracture of his fibula.
Kenan’s defense put in its usual work. Directed by coordinator John Bert Avent, the unit held an opponent to one touchdown for the third time this season.
Jaquez Smith and Cal Avent each had a tackle for loss that nearly resulted in a safety during the first quarter. Zamarion Smith recovered a fumble.
“Defensively, we played so physical,” Grady said. “John Bert Avent has done a great job. They get downhill … play so fast and that was the kind of defense that I [and Avent] wanted to see in the offseason.”
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
