James Kenan’s Keshaun Murray (20) celebrates a “pick six” with a teammate during an opening-round playoff win over Roanoke Rapids. Murray recorded an interception against Martin County on Friday. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
WILLIAMSTON — The rematch is set.
James Kenan gets a second chance against a bitter rival.
The Tigers knocked out Martin County, 42-20, in round two of the NC High School Athletic Association Class 2A playoffs Friday evening.
Next is a trip to Wallace-Rose Hill.
The second-seeded Bulldogs (9-3 overall) await at venerable Thell B. Overman Stadium with a berth in the eastern semifinals at stake.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday.
“I am very proud of the way our guys approached this game,” Kenan head coach Tim Grady said. “I told them it was going to be very important to dominate these guys and don’t give them a foothold. Our guys ran with it.”
Ran, indeed.
David “Cito” Zeleya returned after a one-game absence and accounted for one-third of the Tigers’ ground attack. The senior collected 127 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
Jeremiah Hall contributed 96 yards and a TD on 15 totes. Bruising fullback Cal Avent provided 50 yards and two TDs on just eight attempts.
The Tigers amassed 307 yards rushing.
Tyquise Wilson returned an 81-yard kickoff to the house.
Kenan’s defense logged three interceptions — one apiece by Ty Morrisey, Zamarion Smith and Keyshaun Murray. The Tigers had two “pick sixes” — one each by Wilson and Murray — in the playoff opener against Roanoke Rapids.
“We celebrated victories on all three phases of the game,” Grady said. “I thought it was a complete game. We never thought about overlooking Martin County. We knew they were rich in athletes, well coached and they proved it true.
“I think IF we had a bad night, this team could have given us a longer bus ride home than we wanted. I am proud of the O-line play and the authority our backs ran with the ball. We are excited to see another round.”
In their previous meeting three weeks ago, the Tigers fell behind 17-0. They tallied two fourth-quarter touchdowns and nearly recovered the onside kick in the final minute in a 17-14 loss.
The 2024 East Central co-champions are meeting in the postseason for the first time since 2015, when the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers for the 1AA eastern regional crown. Wallace-Rose Hill has won 12 straight in the series and 19 of the last 27 meetings overall.
James Kenan (11-1) hasn’t prevailed in Wallace since 2012 when Marcelias Sutton toted the pigskin in the Tigers’ backfield.
“[The] Wallace game is what it is,” Grady said. “This time, it’s ‘do or die,’ so I’m certain this Tiger team will lay it all on the line. The last time we played there, I think the ‘loaded’ atmosphere played a role in a slower start than normal.
“Hopefully, we have those ‘big-game’ jitters behind us and we can move on, and play our game. I think Wallace continues to get better weekly, but thankfully so have we. [I’m] hoping it will be an instant classic.”
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
