late interception saves James Kenan

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 31, 2004 2:01 AM

• Print
• Email

CLINTON -- James Kenan's Marcus Sloan intercepted a pass on the Tigers' eight-yard line with 20 seconds left as the Tigers held off Clinton Union 24-21 at the Spartans' stadium on Friday.

The sixth-ranked Tigers (9-1) improved to 4-0 in the Class 1-A Super Six Conference heading into Friday's showdown at long-time rival and co-leader Wallace-Rose Hill in their regular-season finale.

James Kenan's Brian Merriman and Eric Benson posted first-quarter rushing touchdowns as the Tigers claimed a 12-0 lead at halftime.

Union steadily cut into the margin in the second half as back-to-back, fourth-quarter scores gave the Spartans a 21-18 advantage at the 7:34 mark of the third quarter.

Four minutes later, James Kenan's Matt Bass scored on a 10-yard pass from Kelvin Miller to put the Tigers ahead for good at 24-21.

James Kenan finished with 308 total yards, while the Spartans had 259. Merriman paced the Kenan rushing attack with 72 yards on nine carries. Miller had 109 yards passing with one touchdown and one interception.

Union (4-5, 0-4) travels to Roseboro to face Lakewood next Friday.

James Kenan 6 6 6 6 -- 24

Union 0 0 7 14 -- 21

First quarter

JK -- Merriman 26 run (run fail), 5:16

Second quarter

JK -- Benson 9 run (run fail), 1:52

Third quarter

UHS -- 13 pass (kick good), 6:52

JK -- Boykin 3 run (run fail), 1:10

Fourth quarter

UHS -- 36 pass (run fail), 11:51

UHS -- 1 run (run good), 7:34

JK -- Bass 10 pass from Miller (run fail), 3:42

JK UHS

First downs 14 15

Rushes-yds. 42-199 44-192

Passing yds. 109 67

Total yards 308 259

Att.-Comp.-Int. 14-9-1 11-6-1

Penalties-yds. 8-62 11-80

Fumbles-lost 3-1 1-0

Punts-avg. 1-32 3-39

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- James Kenan -- Ronnie Williams 10-63; Brian Merriman 9-72; Alex Flores 8-43; Brandon Satchell 4-17; Eric Benson 2-13; Leron Boykin 1-3; Kelvin Miller 8-(-12).

PASSING -- James Kenan --Kelvin Miller 9-14-1 109, TD.

RECEIVING -- James Kenan --Matt Bass 4-25, Ronnie Williams 2-29; Brandon Satchell 1-22; Edwin Sutton 1-24; Jason Kennion 1-(-1).