After the previous week’s loss to West Lauderdale, Kosciusko head football coach Kelly Causey implored his players to stay the course.
Friday night, the Whippets showed they offered more than lip service to their head coach’s words. Kosciusko defeated Leake Central 27-14 to snap a five-game losing streak and earn their first Region 4-4A win of the season.
“We’ve had a rough year, and to finally be able to get that first win in the district (feels good),” Causey said. “We talked last week about how they’ve still got a great shot to make the playoffs. And once you get into the playoffs, there’s no telling what happens.”
Kosciusko (2-6, 1-2 Region 4-4A) tallied points in all four quarters to secure the victory.
The Whippets inflicted their damage on offense on the ground, where they accumulated 164 yards. Fullback Damian Foster rushed for 87 yards in the loss to West Lauderdale, but he again paced the Whippets’ rushing attack with 97 yards and two touchdowns against the Gators. Foster scored on runs of one and three yards.
Running back Kentaveus Washington served as the lightning to Washington’s thunder in the backfield. Washington posted running totals of 67 yards and one touchdown. He scored on an 11-yard run in the third quarter.
“Foster’s doing a great job getting the hard yards, about 3 or 4 yards a pop,” Causey said. “Washington has the tendency to find the end zone in some way. He’s going to get him a touchdown each week. He’s having a great year.”
The Whippets defense held the Gators to 79 yards rushing and 247 yards on offense. It held Leake Central to just six points in the second half.
Antonio Harmon and Kobe Carter recorded interceptions, and Marlon Dotson Jr. tallied a sack. Jaquarius Thomas posted a team-high 10 tackles, Devonte’ Ellis chipped in with eight tackles and Vincent Miller contributed six tackles.
“The defense did a great job this week,” Causey said. “They’ve improved dramatically, and that’s what it’s going to take — a full effort from both sides of the ball.”
Quarterback Ethan Wood was 5 of 8 passing for 82 yards with one touchdown. Davion Roby recorded 40 yards receiving and one touchdown. Washington tallied 30 yards receiving on two catches. Antonio Harmon returned to the lineup after sitting out last week’s contest due to injury and finished with one reception for 12 yards.
With Harmon, one of the state’s highest-rated prospects, commanding double teams from opposing defenders, Causey said it allows Kosciusko’s other receivers to find holes in the coverage.
“What they were doing was really double covering (Antonio),” Causey said. “What it does is, there are times when there are guys who are completely open. And that’s what we take advantage of. Coach (Lance) Canoy does a good job of seeing that and taking advantage of it.”
