James Kenan starts title defense

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 24, 2008 12:12 PM

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WARSAW -- The James Kenan Tigers picked right up where they left off on Friday night.

On the heels of a state championship in 2007, the Tigers enthusiastically showed that the talent pool is far from dry in Warsaw, as they routed Clinton 35-14.

Quarterback Shawon Darden completed seven of ten passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for a score to lead the Tiger offense. Junior tailback Victor Parker added 82 yards on 22 carries.

"I thought Shawon did a nice job stepping in and making plays," Tiger head coach Ken Avent Jr. said. "He was our backup last year, and tonight he looked like he was ready to be a starter."

The victory was not all smooth sailing on calm seas for the Tigers.

Clinton jumped in front less than two minutes into the game on a 27-yard scoring scamper. Undettered, Darden answered quickly with a 47-yard touchdown pass to Jamar Rogers.

After a second Clinton touchdown made the score 14-7, the Tigers tied the game on a second Darden to rogers connection.

"It was really important for us to come right back when we got down early," Avent said. "We made some big plays, especially on offense, and that really got us going."

In the second half James Kenan's defense took over, shutting out the Darkhorses for the final two quarters, while Darden and the offense continued to finish drives with touchdowns.

"I thought we played pretty well for the first game," Avent said. "And we played a good football team, so that was a good sign."

James Kenan will be on the road next Friday when they travel to Ayden-Grifton at 7:30 p.m.

James Kenan 6 8 7 14 -- 35

Clinton High 14 0 0 0 -- 14

First quarter

C -- 27-yard run (Kick good), 10:30

JK -- Darden 41-yard pass to Rogers (Kick failed), 6:42

C -- 29-yard pass (Kick good), 1:28

Second quarter

JK -- Darden 23-yard pass to Rogers (Conversion good), 5:01

Third quarter

JK -- Darden 1-yard run (Funes-Bonilla kick good), 1:22

Fourth quarter

JK -- Darden 14-yard pass to Faison (Funes-Bonilla kick good), 9:20

JK -- Miller 10-yard run (Funes-Bonilla kick good), 4:33

JK CHS

First downs 15 9

Rushes-yds. 41-108 -

Passing-yds. 178 -

Total Yards 286 -

C-A-I 7-10-1 -

Fumbles-lost - -

Penalties-yds 5-40 3-27

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Passing -- James Kenan -- Shawon Darden 7-10, 178, 3 TD's;

Rushing -- James Kenan -- Wendall Miller Jr. 3-6,TD; Victor Parker 22-82; Jamar Rogers 1-0; Alex Monk 1-6; Shawon Darden 9-(-1), TD; Erik Key 3-11; Darius Heyslip 2-4.

Receiving -- James Kenan -- Kendrick Faison 2-14, TD; Jamar Rogers 2-64, 2 TD's; Demetrius Vann 1-17; Alex Monk 1-30; Josh Hicks 1-48.