The Blue Demons fought their way to a win Saturday while also setting a KHS record.
By P.J. D’Annunzio, Staff Writer KennettTimes.com
Kennett's Anothony Torrello battles for the ball against Octorara's Charles Cooper. The Blue Demons celebrated Homecoming 2011 by posting their fifth win — making a losing record in 2011 impossible.
KENNETT SQUARE — Losers, no more.
Since Kennett High School restarted its football program in the fall of the 2005, the team has lost more games than it won each and every year, racking up a 20-43 record coming into the 2011 season. That streak is over, now.
Celebrating Homecoming 2011 with a nail-biter, a 14-12 win, over Octorara, the Demons now have five wins (5-3) and need only a win over Oxford next week or against Unionville in the season finale to have a winning season — but already a losing season is out the window with a .500 record now the worst-case scenario.
Second year head coach Scott Green is largely responsible for the turnaround of the Kennett program which struggled to find an identity and suffered from a dismal performance in seasons past. Now the Demons are genuine contenders — still on the fringes of the District 1 playoff picture — but Green remains humble about his efforts.
“I didn’t even realize that [the new record] before the game started,” Green said “Our goal was to have a winning season and be the first team to do that, but certainly to know that we’re the first Kennett team to have five wins, it makes us all feel good.”
Kennett's C.J. Lowe looks for an opening.
But more than likely it was because of Kennett’s staunch defensive effort and an equally serious Octorara defense.
After having their QB sacked on a first down, the Braves scored the first touchdown of the game, the ball heaved toward the end zone via Hail Mary. The catch was luck more than anything, as the wild pass had the wind at its back and several Demon defenders racing toward the receiver. The subsequent attempt at a two point conversion was halted by Kennett, starting the game with a 0-6 score.
A notable rushing effort by Malik Rochester brought the Demons into good scoring range early in the second. Anthony Torello was able to find an opening in the Braves’ line and cruise in for Kennett’s first TD. A solid kick from Brett Rose edged the Demons into the lead, 7-6.
Every successive Octorara drive was met with a stern bulldozing from the increasingly potent Kennett defensive line, pushing hordes of Braves back to force negative yardage and several sacks on the quarterback.
Kennett's Barry Tomasetti Jr. races right for yards against Octorara.
On the following Kennett possesion, and a 60 yard rush from Jordan Lardani, Torello was in prime position to score another touchdown, mere seconds before halftime. The extra point was good, making the score 14-6 at the half.
With the third quarter scoreless, it was up to Octorara to make an aggressive turn in strategy in the fourth in order to salvage the game. They succeeded: late in the quarter, the Braves managed to inflict a second touchdown on the Demons.
It was clear to everyone that Octorara was going to gamble on a two point conversion. But despite their last minute drive, they were no match for Kennett’s defense, and with the thwarted attempt, Kennett secured victory on Homecoming Day.
“We made big plays at big times,” Green said “They went the length of the field and they could have easily tied it up when they went for two but our defense came up with a big stop. We made our extra points, we played well on special teams, we did a good job offensively—I wish we would’ve scored a few more points—but we still came through offensively.”
With Oxford looming in the distance, questions were floating around the field concerning Kennett’s playoff contention.
“I’m not sure about the playoffs,” Green said “I know we would have to win out…if we get one step closer by focusing on Oxford then that’s what we’re going to do.”
