Tiger defense corrals Darkhorses

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 19, 2007 2:05 AM

• Print
• Email

From staff reports

CLINTON -- Quarterback Shawn Jones rushed for three short touchdowns as James Kenan hammered Clinton 35-6 in season-opening action Friday evening.

Each of Jones' touchdowns covered 1 yard.

Stedman Mathis added a seven-yard touchdown run and returned a kickoff 68 yards for another score. Brandon Satchell emerged the Tigers' top rusher with 112 yards on 17 totes.

The James Kenan defense recorded a third-quarter safety against the Darkhorses, who played for the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 2-A (small-school) championship last fall.

Josh Hicks, a preseason all-state pick by the N.C. Prep Football News, collected five tackles and five assists. Derrick Barden accounted for the safety, five tackles, two assists and one fumble recovery.

Alex Monk added six tackles, four assists and one sack. Duan Alston (five tackles) and Josh Dixon (interception) also played well on defense.

The Tigers, winners of 11 straight regular-season contests, play host to Ayden-Grifton next Friday. Clinton visits perennial 1-A power Wallace-Rose Hill on Aug. 31.

James Kenan 7 13 15 0 -- 35

Clinton 0 6 0 0 -- 6

First quarter

JK -- Mathis 7 run (Vasquez kick), 5:51

Second quarter

JK -- Jones 1 run (kick failed), 9:07

JK -- Jones 1 run (Vasquez kick), 0:01.3

Third quarter

JK -- Safety

JK -- Mathis 68 kickoff return (kick failed), 3:55

JK -- Jones 1 run (Vasquez kick), 0:45

J. Kenan Clinton

First downs 12 8

Rushes-yds 36-167 31-133

Passing yds 69 31

Total yards 236 164

A-C-I 9-3-0 12-5-1

Fumbles-lost 2-1 2-2

Penalties-yds 8-70 6-60

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- James Kenan -- Brandon Satchell 17-112; Stedman Mathis 9-42, TD; Alex Monk 2-8.

PASSING -- James Kenan -- Shawn Jones 3-9-0 69.

RECEIVING -- James Kenan -- Kendal Jones 2-43; Chris Marable 1-26.