James Kenan nips county rival East Duplin

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on September 1, 2012 11:08 PM

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WARSAW -- James Kenan opened its home schedule with a 22-21 victory over county rival East Duplin at Bill Taylor Field.

The Tigers snapped a three-game skid in the series.

James Kenan grabbed an early lead when Dominique Barnes snuck into the end zone from one-yard out on the team's first possession. T.J. Fullwood made the score 14-0 in the Tigers' favor with a 45-yard punt return for touchdown later in the first quarter.

East Duplin stormed back in the second period with 21 unanswered points.

Quarterback Malik Baker delivered a pair of touchdown passes to tie the game at 14-14. Dijon Poole gave the Panthers the lead just before the half on a 75-yard run.

James Kenan got a big play of its own late in the third quarter when Marcelias Sutton broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run. Rather than try to tie the game, James Kenan head coach Ken Avent Jr. opted for the two-point conversion. Ja'Quan Williams bulled his way over the goal line to put the Tigers ahead 22-21.

"We had not done a very good job in the kicking game as far as snapping the ball, catching the snap and making the kick," Avent Jr. said. "And we felt like we had the momentum so we went for two and it worked out."

James Kenan (3-0 overall) begins its Tri-County 1-A Conference season at home Sept. 14 against Union.