Clarksville, TN – It took a while for the Kenwood High School football team to get its offense going, October 30th versus District 10-AAA opponent Northeast High School, but the Knights exploded for 26 second-half points to pull away from the Eagles, 40-7.
With the win, Kenwood (5-5, 4-3 District 10-AAA) all but guarantees itself a spot in the Tennessee State Secondary Athletic Association playoff field – which starts November 7th.
The Knights were only able to score one offensive touchdown versus Northeast (2-8, 2-5 District 10-AAA) in the first half, but scored on each of its first three drives after intermission to blow the game open.
Perry would lead all rushers with 184 yards on the ground, on 18 carries.
After holding Northeast on downs, deep in its own territory, the Knights would put together their longest drive of the night – going 83 yards on 13 plays – with Perry taking it in from 20 yards out at the 3:35 mark of the third quarter for a 28-0 advantage.
Kenwood would continue to add to its lead on its next drive, with Antwuan Branch capping off the 75-yard, seven-play possession with a 26-yard touchdown run, with 10:13 left in the game to make it 34-0.
Northeast would final get on the board with its second possession of the fourth quarter, with Quinton Cross going on a 66-yard dash into the end zone for a touchdown to make it 34-7, with 6:49 left in the quarter.
Cross would lead Northeast with 121 yards on 17 carries.
Kenwood answered the Northeast score just 23 seconds later, getting great field position at the Eagles 36-yard line on the ensuing kickoff and Dimitri Jones taking it in on the first play for the 40-7 final margin.
In the first half, Kenwood’s defense would get the Knights on the board just 47 seconds into the game.
On the second play of the game, Northeast quarterback Benji Burchwell had a snap from center go over his head in the shotgun set — from its own 29-yard line, — with Knights defensive player Shannon Tarbox picking up the ball at the Eagles four and taking it in for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead.
The score would remain that way until late in the second quarter, as both teams had their struggles with moving the ball or turning the ball over.
Perry would take it from there, as he rushed the ball three straight times to get it down to the Northeast 11-yard line before hitting Angel Hall with a pass for a touchdown – followed by Perry scoring the two-point conversion for a 14-0 lead at halftime.
Kenwood will find out if, and who, they will play in the Class 5-AAA playoffs on November 1st when the TSSAA has it playoff bracket announcement.
Photo Gallery
Box Score
Kenwood 40, Northeast 7
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Northeast Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Kenwood Knights | 6 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 40 |
First Quarter
K—Shannon Tarbox 4-yard fumble return (kick failed), 11:13
Second Quarter
K—Angel Hall 11-yard pass from Malcom Perry (Perry, run), 2:10
Third Quarter
K—AJ Richardson 1-yard run (Kalena Boykin, kick), 9:54
K—Perry 20-yard run (Boykin, kick), 3:35
Fourth Quarter
K—Antwuan Branch 26-yard run (kick failed), 10:13
NE—Quinton Cross 66-yard run (Logan Rasnick, kick), 6:49
K—Dimitri Jones (run failed), 6:26
| Northeast | Kenwood | |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 11 | 16 |
| Rush Att.-Yards | 31-68 | 52-334 |
| Pass Yards | 78 | 50 |
| Total Offense | 146 | 384 |
| C-A-I | 10-21-3 | 5-11-1 |
| Punts-Avg. | 5-34.4 | 1-17.0 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 2-1 | 4-2 |
| Penalties-Yards | 6-56 | 5-60 |
