Defending 1AA state champs enter playoffs as 'the hunted'

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 12, 2014 1:50 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

The rural communities of Warsaw, Magnolia, Kenansville expect year in and out to see James Kenan contend for a state championship in football.

There's usually a standing-room-only crowd on the Tigers' side of Bill Taylor Field. The fans wave bright gold towels in support of a team that's restored itself as one of eastern North Carolina's top prep football powers.

And now, they're the hunted.

James Kenan, for the 12th consecutive season, opens the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-AA playoffs with a home game. The defending state champion entertains 15th-seeded Pender on Friday.

Admission is $7 for the 7:30 p.m. game.

"You have to play and get some breaks (like last season), and I feel like we're one of the teams that has a chance to get to the (state) finals," said Kenan head coach Ken Avent Jr., whose team is the newly-anointed No. 1-ranked team in the final Associated Press 1-A prep poll of the season.

"I feel like we've got a good team and everybody wants to beat us. At the same time, there are some teams we want to beat. So, that's how it is."

A team that dealt with depth issues in the preseason, James Kenan has managed to avoid significant injuries to key players. The Tigers have taken some hard hits, but used their bye week to heal from the dings and bruises that are normal for this time of year.

Plus, some personnel changes have proven effective.

Avent Jr. moved 6-foot-1 Jonathan West from the defensive line to fullback. That's allowed senior Al Owens, fully recovered from a right broken hand, to spend more time on the defensive side of the ball.

Junior Ishnel Georges has emerged as the Tigers' most-improved -- and surprising -- lineman. He's played in all 10 games and logged 44 stops.

"Ishnel has come on to become a great defensive lineman for us," said Avent Jr., whose defensive unit has forced 23 turnovers and has 10 players with 25 or more tackles.

The biggest key has been offense.

Owens' early-season absence compelled the Tigers' coaching staff to revamp their running attack. Senior Jaquan Williams leads the stable of backfield rushers with 668 yards and 14 touchdowns.

But the passing game has unexpectedly flourished.

Signal caller Ken Avent III, who ranks among the area's top passers, has thrown for 1,461 yards and 22 TDs. He's thrown just four picks in 141 attempts and has a completion rate of 53.9 percent.

Greg Washington is Avent III's favorite target with 662 yards and 11 touchdowns on 34 receptions. That's taken some heat off of John Brooks, who has reeled in 21 catches for 434 yards and seven TDs.

"Having Greg back gives us two 6-4 receivers out there who can make some big plays for us at any time," Avent Jr. said. "Greg is very talented and has had a great year. They can't key on John, so they (opposing teams) have to have two good DBs to stop those two."

Kenan is seeded in an eight-team draw with Tarboro, which played for four consecutive 2-A state titles -- and won three -- with current Georgia running back Todd Gurley. The top half of the draw has Wallace-Rose Hill and Princeton, who are tied for third in the AP poll.

"I think the east is tough," Avent Jr. said. "We don't want to look ahead, but just take care of this week -- take it one day at a time."