James Kenan defense shuts down Union

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on November 16, 2013 11:43 PM

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WARSAW --Union sold out on defense.

James Kenan made the Spartans pay.

The Tigers completed four passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 49-0 win in the opening round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-AA (large-school) state playoffs on Friday evening.

"After the first few plays we saw that they were playing nine guys in the box with single coverage on the outside," James Kenan head coach Ken Avent Jr. said. "Not having a safety in the back allowed us to push the ball down the field."

James Kenan (11-0 overall) received the opening kick and immediately drove the ball 65 yards in nine plays. Dominique Barnes capped the drive with a three-yard touchdown run.

After a Spartans drive stalled in Tigers territory, the offensive onslaught began.

Barnes connected with Antonio Smith for an 85-yard touchdown on the first play after the Spartans' turnover on downs. James Kenan wasted no time getting the ball back and Marcelias Sutton capped the first quarter with an 80-yard touchdown run that pushed the score to 21-0.

Zack Melvin broke free for a 63-yard touchdown run to open the second quarter. Sutton tossed a halfback pass to Juan Hooper for a 90-yard score and Barnes hit T.J. Fullwood for a 50-yard strike to end the first half.

The Tigers led 42-0.

"Our defense did a pretty good job of getting the ball back and making stops," Avent Jr. said. "With the passing game working for big plays we were able to take control early on."

James Kenan had 432 yards of offense on just 17 plays during the first half. Five of the Tigers' possessions ended after one play. Four resulted in touchdowns and the other ended on a fumble.

Ken Avent III scored on a 30-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to complete the scoring.

Sutton paced the Tigers with 95 yards rushing on four carries. James Kenan finished with 510 yards of total offense on just 22 plays.

Union ran 57 plays for 165 total yards. Dezmond Faison paced the Spartans with 92 yards on 20 carries.