Tigers ready to play Bulldogs in 1AA east final

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on December 5, 2013 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

rhanchett@newsargus.com

WARSAW -- Sometimes all the stars in the football universe simply align to create a brilliant matchup.

The N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-AA east championship game between Wallace-Rose Hill and James Kenan is sure to be a gridiron collision of cosmic proportions.

"It's going to be a hard-fought football game to be sure," James Kenan head coach Ken Avent Jr. said. "There are no secrets. They know what we do and we know what they do, so whoever executes better is going to win."

The two Duplin County rivals have a long history on the football field, but no previous chapter can stack up to Friday night's showdown. The contest will be the first time the respective schools have met with a trip to the state championship game on the line.

James Kenan is ranked No. 1 statewide and 13-0 overall. Wallace-Rose Hill is No. 5 and 12-2.

The Tigers won the regular-season meeting 19-18 on Aug. 30.

"That game was so long ago I don't think it really means much," Avent Jr. said. "Wallace has improved a great deal and I think we have improved as well. It's a whole new ballgame this time around."

Each team has been tested in the postseason.

And each knows defense will be crucial.

"Wallace has the best defense we have played against all season," Avent Jr. said. "Whiteville was a very good test for us last week. I think they are the second-best defense we have seen and hopefully that will help us as we get ready to play (Wallace) again."

Avent Jr. hopes the Tigers' passing game will click and loosen the Bulldogs' run defense. Quarterback Dominique Barnes, and receivers TJ Fullwood and Antonio Smith were held in check by Whiteville last week.

Weather forecasts call for warm temperatures, which should help give Kenan some life through the air.

"I hope that nice weather will be to our advantage," Avent Jr. said. "As long as it isn't cold and rainy, I think our passing game will be fine. That's one big difference between last year and this year as far as our offense is concerned.

"Last season, teams would load up to stop the run and we couldn't hit a big play in the passing game. This year we have been able to force teams to play honest defense and respect the pass and we have hit some game-changing plays."

And one play could be the difference in this sure-to-be classic.