PREP FOOTBALL: Tigers control clock, Eagles

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 3, 2016 8:27 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

WARSAW -- Rosewood needed explosive plays.

James Kenan needed to control the tempo.

In the end, the Tigers imposed their will on the Eagles.

Hungry to snap a four-game skid and stay in the hunt for their fourth consecutive Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season championship, the Tigers -- particularly their offense -- put their best paw forward Friday evening.

And Ken Avent, Jr. couldn't have been more happier.

The JK skipper removed his visor, scratched a few slivers of gray hair on his noggin' and beamed with pride like a proud papa after a 43-19 victory over the Eagles at Bill Taylor Field.

A good week of practice led to near-perfect execution of a gameplan that constantly frustrated a Rosewood defense that continues to develop chemistry and seek an identity.

James Kenan quarterbacks Jabril Johnson and John Avent each orchestrated flawless textbook offensive series that lasted either 11 or 12 plays. More importantly their adept handiwork led to a 26 1/2-minute advantage in total time of possession.

The Tigers held the ball for nearly 20 minutes in the second half.

"We didn't make any mistakes tonight, played a little bit better, played a little more solid on offense and we kept their quarterback (Cam Helt) off the field, which was the main thing," Avent Jr. said.

Helt's 53-yard burst up the middle set up the first of three rushing touchdowns on the night. Rosewood led 7-0 just 56 seconds into game, but its defense surrendered 29 consecutive points.

Kenan (2-4 overall, 1-1 CC) moved in front 8-7 on Raekwon Wilson's 5-yard plunge over the goal line. Less than 10 minutes later, Wilson carried a "pick six" 68 yards to the house.

"I thought our receiver probably could have done a little better job (but) at that point he has to recognize who has the better position," RHS head coach Robert Britt said. "He's got to become a defensive guy. That gave them some momentum."

The Tigers shut the door in the third quarter.

On the second play from scrimmage, Johnson recognized a mismatch on the right corner. Jalen Faison had a six-inch advantage on his defender and Johnson hooked up with the sophomore receiver for a 76-yard TD pass.

"At that point when he got by our kid, we're just hoping 'don't let the pass be on the money' and he hit him right in stride," said Britt, whose team dipped to 3-4 overall and 1-1 against league opposition this season.

"I thought our kids fought hard all night on defense. That's our Achilles' heel right now. We keep giving up big plays."

Helt answered with his second TD.

Kenan came right back with two clock-controlling possessions that resulted in touchdowns by Wilson and Tisean Savage. The duo was part of a run-by-committee backfield -- nine total ball toters that combined for 284 yards.

"I'm just happy for the guys because we had a good week of practice, and we were able to get the win," Avent Jr. said.

OH, MR. WILSON!

• The 5-foot-8, 150-pound senior looked like a waterbug all night. Wilson darted in between defenders, used his low gravity of center to break tackles and rushed for a team-high 146 yards.

"He's a tough little back," Avent Jr. said. "We've got a couple of tough little backs. We've just got to give them ball."

WILL HE BE BACK?

• Rumor has it three-year starting QB Ken Avent Sr. could make an appearance in mid-October. But "insiders" say it's possible the senior may sit out until team knows its playoff fate.

THE BREAKDOWN

• Rosewood ran 32 plays that resulted in 225 yards of total offense. The Eagles' longest offensive series lasted 4 minutes -- 36 seconds more than they possessed the ball the entire second half.

THE SERIES

• James Kenan leads 7-2.