Cherokees held to minus-9 yards in first half
By RONALD FRAZIER
rfrazier@ledger -enquirer.com
Shaw used a smothering first-half defense and a key interception by JaQuari Thorton in the fourth quarter to defeat Kendrick, 26-7, Friday night at Kinnett Stadium in the season finale for both teams.
Shaw finished 2-8 on the year while Kendrick fell to 1-9.
“That play (the interception) was big for us, “ said Shaw coach Jamie Fox. “They were trying to score to pull within six points until that play.
“Then we take the ball and score, and that was big as far as momentum was concerned.”
It was all too familiar for the Cherokees.
“This is the kind of thing that has happened to us all year,” said Kendrick coach Jerry Dukes. “We made some big plays in special teams, but a missed play and we lose.
“I have to give Shaw credit, they made the play when they needed it.”
The Raiders dominated the first half as the defense held the Cherokees to minus-9 total yards in the first half. Shaw also recovered two fumbles.
Meanwhile, Shaw quarterback Chris Baker was finding the mark to his favorite receiver, Levonte Williams, to spark the offense. Williams caught four passes for 85 yards in the first half.
Three Shaw backs — Baker, Justin Roberts, and Alex Junious — scored on runs after those catches, and Shaw was up 19-0.
In the second half, Kendrick turned to its special teams play, led by senior Artavious Reynolds, who blocked one punt by Shaw and then recovered the second blocked punt on the 2, setting up a 2-yard run by Kevis Pledger to tighten the score to 19-7.
The Cherokees were driving again when Thorton made his big interception at the goal line with 10:15 to play and ran it back to midfield. Four straight running plays by Junious netted 50 yards and the clinching touchdown. Junious rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 21 runs.
“I am glad that we won this one for our seniors and now have something to build on next year,” said Fox.
Friday at Kinnett
Shaw 7 12 0 7—26
Kendrick 0 0 7 0—7
First Quarter
S-Chris Baker 16 run (Josh Comstock kick), 0:00
Second Quarter
S-Alex Junious 9 run (kick blocked), 7:07
S-Justin Roberts 2 run (pass failed), 4:30
Third Quarter
K-Kevis Pledger 2 run (Jakey Harris kick), 5:47
Fourth Quarter
S-Junious 8 run (Comstock kick), 8:37
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