James Kenan stays unbeaten

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on September 21, 2008 7:09 AM

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WARSAW -- East Duplin claimed an early lead, but unbeaten James Kenan rallied for a 25-7 victory Friday evening at Bill Taylor Field.

All-purpose quarterback Shawon Darden accounted for 264 yards of offense and three touchdowns in the Tigers' victory.

"We threw the ball more tonight than we have most of the season, and we completed a lot of theose passes," said Kenan coach Ken Avent Jr. "Shawon has done a good job all season, but he was especially tough tonight."

Avent Jr.'s team moved the ball effectively throughout the game, but had trouble getting into the end zone.

In the third quarter the Tiger front man reached into his old bag of tricks.

Holder Kyle Bostic heaved a pass, off a fake field goal, into the end zone where an open Jamar Rogers was waiting. Rogers' only reception of the night capped the Tigers' scoring.

"We were ahead 19-7 and it would have been a long field goal attempt, so we decided to try it," said Avent Jr. "If we didn't get it, we would have had them pinned back anyway."

Rogers led the defense with nine stops. Dasmine Smith and Josh Hicks posted seven tackles apiece. Demetrius Vann picked off an East Duplin pass.

James Kenan (5-0 overall) claimed its 27th consecutive regular-season victory and 21st straight overall. The defending N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-AA (large-school) state champions entertain Greene Central next Friday.

"We've played those guys the last few years and we know how athletic they are," said Avent Jr. "We have to work on getting better every week. We can't worry about what everyone else is doing, we have to focus."