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Knights tame Coyotes behind a strong run game




Tishun Miles bounces up after a run.NICHOLE BARNES

Tishun Miles bounces up after a run.NICHOLE BARNES

The Kenwood Knights visited rival West Creek on homecoming and spoiled the party early behind strong performances from quarterback Jaylen Washington and running back Tishun Miles.

Both teams were coming off of blowout losses one week prior – Kenwood sustained a 62-0 loss to Henry County and West Creek took a 53-6 loss to Northeast – and hoped to bounce back with strong performances this week.

Knights head coach Les Greer said he was impressed with how his team’s preparation leading up to Friday night’s game despite the big loss beforehand.

“We showed up on Monday and I challenged them to just keep getting better and they did,” Greer said. “We had a really good week of practice which is hard to do because of how young we are in some places. It can be hard to have a good week of practice after suffering a loss like we did last week.”

The Knights had one thing in mind on their opening possession: feed Miles. And that is exactly what they did. Kenwood turned to their senior running back on every play of the first drive and he rewarded them with an eight-yard score to give his team a quick 7-0 lead.

On the Coyotes’ second play of the ensuing drive, TiAnthony Wagner was picked off by sophomore linebacker Kellum Williams who gave the Knights a short 20-yard field to work with. Just two plays later, Miles crossed into the end zone for his second score in as many drives.

After putting together a nice looking drive that had West Creek in the red zone, Wagner was intercepted again.

West Creek’s defense forced a quick three-and-out, but a roughing the kicker penalty on fourth down extended the drive and gave all the momentum back to the Knights. After a big pick up by Miles a few plays later, Kenwood extended their lead to three scores off a quarterback sneak from Washington at the half-yard line.

If there is one thing that can be certain in football, it is that you can never have enough points. Greer clearly knows this as on the preceding kick, the Knights opted to go for an onside kick, which they were able to fall on and recover.

The Knights continued to run the ball at an already tired Coyote defense. Senior running back Jeremy Smith capped off the drive with a run up the middle for six, giving Kenwood a 28-0 lead just a minute into the second quarter.

No matter the score, with an experienced quarterback like Wagner taking the snaps, defenses have to come prepared for every snap. Even with two interceptions under his belt, Wagner led his team deep into Kenwood territory, and on a 4th-and-5 he connected with Charles Hutchinson after scrambling for his team’s first score of the game.

The teams traded scores over the next two possessions. Washington crossed into paydirt for the second time on a quarterback sneak from the goal line and Wagner connected with junior wideout Cavin Roberson who made a juggling catch in the back of the endzone.

Unlike the first half, the second was not an offensive explosion. The only score in the final 24 minutes of play was a 24-yard dime late in the fourth from Washington to favorite target, Corben Howard, to complete the quarterback’s hat trick. 

Even through the loss, Coyote head coach James Figueroa saw improvement from his team when comparing the outing to last week.

“I thought our line did a lot better job today, we just got to hang on,” Figueroa said.  “Our receivers made some good catches. We are getting there, but we just have to continue to work because the schedule is going to get tougher.”

For Kenwood, Tishun Miles was a workhorse all night long. With the offense running through him, the team seemed unstoppable as the back ran through and around defenders seemingly with ease; but Greer says his impact on the team goes farther than the X’s and O’s.

“He’s a senior leader, he works his tail off,” Greer said.  “He is the hardest worker we got. He is good with the young kids as far as motivating them and holding them accountable and demonstrating it through his actions. 

“He’ll be the first one to go out and celebrate the offensive line telling them that they did a good job opening up holes. And he’ll tell them, if they can get him some holes, we’ll give him the rock and we know he can hit it. He had some good, physical runs early on to set the tone for us, really just did a good job… He’s a great kid and we love him.”

The win brings Kenwood to even in region play at 2-2. They’ll stay on the road for their next game, playing the Clarksville Wildcats who remain winless in the region and are coming off a 44-14 home loss to Northeast.

For West Creek, they fall to 0-3 in the region and will have their work cut out for them when they head to Henry County to face off against the 3-0 Patriots.

A Coyote is brought down.NICHOLE BARNES

A Coyote is brought down.NICHOLE BARNES

Kenwood head coach Les Greer stands with his team before their game against West Creek.NICHOLE BARNES

Kenwood head coach Les Greer stands with his team before their game against West Creek.NICHOLE BARNES

Kenwood kicker Michael Hernandez kicks off to begin the second half.NICHOLE BARNES

Kenwood kicker Michael Hernandez kicks off to begin the second half.NICHOLE BARNES

Kenwood’s offensive line prepares to engage the Coyote defense.NICHOLE BARNES

Kenwood’s offensive line prepares to engage the Coyote defense.NICHOLE BARNES

Kenwood cheerleaders show their school spirit.NICHOLE BARNES

Kenwood cheerleaders show their school spirit.NICHOLE BARNES

Corben Howard (9) and a teammate celebrate a touchdown.NICHOLE BARNES

Corben Howard (9) and a teammate celebrate a touchdown.NICHOLE BARNES

Tishun Miles find an edge and races around the West Creek defense. NICHOLE BARNES

Tishun Miles find an edge and races around the West Creek defense. NICHOLE BARNES

 

 

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