FOOTBALL TAB: Graduation takes away skilled, athletic players from James Kenan

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 22, 2014 1:48 PM

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During the last couple of years, there's been a handful of eastern North Carolina prep football powerhouses capable of winning the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A state championship.

James Kenan is included in that group.

Since Ken Avent Jr.'s arrival to Warsaw in 2007, the Tigers have been the premier team in Duplin County. In three of Avent's seven seasons on the sidelines, Kenan has played for the eastern regional title three times -- and won twice.

Led by a three-year starter at quarterback and a Division I recruit in the backfield, the Tigers posted a 15-0 record and handed West Montgomery a humbling 42-14 defeat in the 1-AA title game at Wake Forest University last season.

Graduation took 14 seniors who each played a pivotal role.

The cupboard isn't bare by no means, but Avent admits his 2014 team is comparable to 2009 when depth was thin at key positions. That team finished 7-6 and lost in the second round of the playoffs.

Just seven starters return from 2013, including three two-way performers -- senior lineman Korey Beddingfield (6-foot-2, 265 pounds), senior Jaquan Williams (5-8, 156) and senior Jalahne Stroud (6-3, 175). The trio combined for 58 tackles last season.

"If we get an injury or two in a couple of spots, we're really going to have to do some work," said Avent Jr., who has a 92-20 career record during his stint at Kenan.

"If Korey was hurt, we would be in a mess. I hope we can find some more starters so we don't have people playing both ways. When you lose a (two-way) starter, that's two people going down."

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Plenty of attention has been paid to James Kenan's heavy losses to graduation and deservedly so.

A new starting quarterback and two rebuilt lines further amplify the coaching staff's concerns. Still, there enough athleticism, size and speed to keep the Tigers among the elite teams in North Carolina.

Williams could emerge as the top ball carrier during the early portion of the season since senior fullback Al Owens (5-10, 245) continues to recover from a broken left hand. Williams rambled for 815 yards and 12 touchdowns on 103 carries.

Owens piled up 936 yards and 12 TDs on 118 totes.

"We'll see what happens," Avent said of Owens.

Senior Jonathan West (6-1, 190), senior Khalil Savage (5-7, 152) and junior Zack Melvin (5-8, 158) will also see time in the backfield.

Kenan lost two quality linemen -- valedictorian Brandon Coates and salutatorian Eric Smith. Avent has several trench workers in Beddingfield, Stroud, senior Donald Brush (6-1, 230) and senior Nykee Hayes (6-1, 270).

Directing the Tigers' offense are unproven quarterbacks Greg Washington (6-4, 184) and Ken Avent III. Coach Avent said each has done well in the preseason and that each can also play other positions on the team.

"I feel pretty good where we're at with them right now," Avent said. "They're reading things good, but neither one has started a varsity game, so you don't know until those real bullets start flying. It's great to have two because that gives you some competition (in practice)."

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Avent Jr. is confident in his defense.

Stroud was moved from the line to inside linebacker along with returner John Brooks, who had 31 stops last season, and junior Donta Mason. The outside LBs are returning starter Juan Hooper (65 tackles), Mason and Savage.

Williams, Melvin, Washington, Avent III will roam in the secondary.

"It's kind of a rotation back there," coach Avent said. "We've always played good defense for the most part. As long as we stay healthy, I think we could be decent there at the end of the year.

"There is some quickness on defense. We may be a step quicker in some spots than we were last year. We've got to tackle on defense."

Kenan forced 37 turnovers and had 15 sacks in 2013.

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The Tigers open the season Friday at Southern Wayne.

Archrival Wallace-Rose Hill awaits the following week. Union comes calling the first Friday in September. Another county battle ensues with East Duplin and the Tigers will get a bye week.

Avent Jr.'s club begins defense of its Carolina 1-A Conference title at Princeton on Sept. 26.

"We can put the pieces of the puzzle together once we get into it (the season)," Avent Jr. "The deal with us is we have to get into it (quickly) because you don't have the warm-up period like you'd like to have. You want to set yourself up in the playoffs and not be behind the eight-ball.

"We'll see how it goes."