Prep football roundup
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 4, 2011 1:50 PM
Varsity football
James Kenan 21, Pender 8
* BURGAW -- James Kenan scored 13 points in the fourth quarter in a 21-8 win over Tri-County 1-A Conference rival Pender in the completion of a suspended game Monday evening.
The Tigers and Patriots resumed play in the second quarter in a scoreless tie after lightning sent the teams home early on Friday night. The teams matched second-quarter touchdowns on back-to-back possessions before the half and set up for a shootout that never materialized.
A defensive struggle ensued until the Tigers jumped on top on their first possession of the fourth quarter when Dominique Barnes ran into the end zone from three yards out.
After a critical defensive stand, James Kenan took the ball back and put the game away on a 50-yard scoring run by Marcelias Sutton.
"We have been playing a little bit the better the last couple weeks and I feel like we are starting to figure things out defensively a little bit," Tigers head coach Ken Avent Jr. said. "Tonight was a good win because Pender is very good up front and I felt like we matched them on the line."
James Kenan finished with 245 yards of total offense led by Sutton's 120 yards on the ground. Barnes completed three passes for 64 yards including a 30-yard strike to Sutton, who emerged as the Tigers' leading receiver.
James Kenan (3-3 overall, 3-0 TCC) travels to Lakewood on Friday night.
Ayden-Grifton 41, Rosewood 6
* LITTLEFIELD -- Rosewood never found any footing offensively and sputtered to a 41-6 defeat at Ayden-Grifton in the Carolina 1-A Conference opener for both schools Monday evening.
The Eagles finished with just 57 yards of total offense on the night.
Despite the lack of production with the football, Rosewood's defense kept the game close in the first half. Ayden-Grifton held a 13-0 lead at the intermission but quickly erased any hopes of a comeback by the visitors when Brandon Larry carried the ball into the end zone form one yard out on the Chargers' first possession of the third quarter.
Larry added two more second half touchdowns on the grou to seal the game for the home team.
Greg Cavenaugh paced Rosewood with 19 yards on the ground on seven carries. Jamari McGown added 18 yards on 14 totes.
Rosewood (3-3 overall, 0-1 CC) entertains Goldsboro on Friday night.
Triton 38, North Lenoir 0
* LaGRANGE -- Triton's rushing attack proved to be too much for North Lenoir too handle in a 38-0 loss on the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference football scene Monday night.
The Hawks tallied 495 yards of total offense, including 390 on the ground, as they fought to stay atop the league standings. Dedrick Stacker paced the visitors with nine rushes for 141 yards and a touchdown. Kendrick Harris added 101 yards on six carries and went for three scores.
North Lenoir countered with 142 yards from scrimmage. Marsharee Troy led the home team with 50 yards on seven carries.
North Lenoir (1-5 overall, 0-3 ECC) visits South Johnston on Friday.