Kenan blasts Dixon

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 2, 2005 2:18 AM

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WARSAW -- Reco Peterson figured that his junior varsity days at fullback were numbered when Kevin Motsinger took over the James Kenan football program three years ago. His premonition became reality once he earned a spot on the varsity squad.

Motsinger moved Peterson to linebacker and never expected to see him tote the pigskin again ... until Friday evening. Peterson tallied his first-ever touchdown -- a 2-yard plunge -- in the Tigers' 68-0 non-conference, Homecoming victory over winless Dixon.

"I promised him before the season ever started I'd get him a touchdown," said Motsinger. "He won't be on offense the rest of the year. What a special kid."

Six players accounted for James Kenan's highest offensive scoring output of the season before 1,000-plus fans at Bill Taylor Field. The Tigers (4-2) seized their fourth consecutive victory and improved to 7-1 at home since Motsinger's arrival in 2003.

Dixon exited 0-6 and has managed just one touchdown in its last 12 quarters of play.

Motsinger speculated the players didn't know about Dixon's troubles this season. He appeared more worried about the distractions that normally accompany Homecoming week, especially the post-game dance.

"We were focused at getting better ... (tackling) the job at hand and that's a complement to these kids, especially these seniors," said Motsinger. "With all the distractions, it's very easy to come out here and be sloppy with penalties. Every week we've gotten better at executing, cutting the penalties down ... that's the key."

James Kenan collected touchdowns on all six of its first-half possessions. Ronnie Williams scored on runs of 9 and 4 yards. Brandon Satchell tallied touchdowns on runs of 6 and 1 yard. Stedman Mathis added a 3-yard dive midway through the opening quarter.

Marcus Sloan returned two first-half punts for touchdowns on runs of 53 and 71 yards. Sloan became the first Tiger to accomplish that feat since current Buffalo Bills standout Sam Aiken, who ran back two scores in a 75-0 rout of North Johnston in 1998.

The Tigers led 53-0 at halftime.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs struggled with execution. Sixteen of their 43 offensive plays resulted in huge chunks of lost yardage and they committed four turnovers.

Dixon concluded the evening with minus-34 yards of total offense.

"Dixon's kids came out there and they played their butts off," said Motsinger. "They're struggling and they've had some hard times. (But) the coaches roll up their sleeves and go to work (each day)."

James Kenan quarterback Shawn Jones spread the rushing duties among 10 backs, including himself. Satchell emerged the ground leader with 83 yards on five carries. Overall, the group pounded out 226 yards on just 27 totes -- 8.4 yards per rush.

Jones completed three passes for 115 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown pass to Williams in the third quarter. Peterson wrapped up the scoring with his 2-yard plunge early in the fourth.

While Motsinger tipped his hat to Dixon, he also added that the Tigers' goal is improving on a weekly basis.

"The biggest thing for us every week is we don't worry about who we play," said Motsinger. "I'm not disrespecting anybody we've played this year or anybody we will play. Every week, we've got to get a little bit better.

"If we don't, we're going to pay for it in November. The playoffs is what it's all about. The Super Six is what it's all about."

James Kenan opens its Class 1-A Super Six season at home next Friday against Lakewood, which is 2-4 overall. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Notes: The teams met for the first time since 1962 and Kenan leads the all-time series 3-0 by a combined score of 150-6. ... Senior Taylor Lanier was crowned Homecoming Queen at halftime. Lanier is a three-sport letter winner and vice president of the senior class. ... Dixon quarterback/receiver Thomas Arp is the grandson of Bill Taylor, who turned James Kenan into a football power in the 1960s. ... The Tigers are 13-9 overall in regular-season, non-conference play since 2003.