Prep Football: Foxes rediscover winning formula

BY STEVE FRANZELLO

When King George started this season with four straight victories, head coach Jeff Smith liked how his team was playing “Foxes football.”

Since then, the Foxes had dropped a pair of hard-fought games to Battlefield District contenders James Monroe and Chancellor.

But on Friday night with strong-armed quarterback Corey Henderson leading the way, “Foxes football” was back in action and the end result was a 42–21 district victory for King George.

The win helped the Foxes snap a tie with the Cavaliers for fourth place in the district standings and gave them a lift after last week’s 14–7 loss to the Chargers. King George improved to 6–2 overall and 3–2 in the district, while Caroline fell to 3–5, 2–3.

“We settled down in the second half and played like we had been playing when we were 4–0,” Smith said. “That was Foxes football. It’s all about the kids, they’re putting in the work and we’re seeing the results.”

Henderson completed 12 of 22 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns on a night when both quarterbacks combined for more than 500 yards through the air.

Caroline signal caller Curtis Leacock was nearly as effective, connecting on 13 of 22 attempts for 244 yards. He failed to reach the end zone, but running back Keyshawn Johnson picked up the slack with three 1-yard touchdown runs.

“The coaches stayed on us,” Henderson said. “We picked it up, but we can still get better. We have things we can work on.”

One of those things is penalties. King George was penalized 16 times for 113 yards and flags. Caroline had nine flags totaling 60 yards.

After a slow-moving first quarter, things began to heat up in the second period with both the Foxes and the Cavaliers taking advantage of scoring opportunities.

Caroline answered the bell twice with scoring runs by Johnson after King George had pulled in front.

But the Foxes kept responding to the challenge. Henderson hooked up with Alon Clipper and athletic Jacob Baker for long-range strikes and King George took a 21–14 lead into the half.

Whatever Smith said in the locker room at the break sparked a strong performance in the second half.

Despite the continued penalties, they took charge midway through the third quarter and kept the pressure on.

After Henderson connected with Deshon Brown for a 22-yard strike with 1:31 left in the third quarter, Baker scored on a 2-yard run to put the Foxes in front 35–14 and their defense made the lead stand up.

“King George plays hard and they’re well-coached,” said Caroline coach Jeremiah Ross. “But we fought hard and that’s what we need to keep doing the next two weeks.”

Caroline 0 14 0 7 — 21

King George 7 14 7 14 — 42

First Quarter

KG-J. Estes 2-yard run (L. Armentrout kick)

Second Quarter

Ca-K. Johnson 1-yard run (R. Williams kick)

KG-A. Clipper 47-yard pass from C. Henderson (L. Armentrout kick)

Ca-K. Johnson 1-yard run (R. Williams kick)

KG-J. Baker 30-yard pass from C. Henderson (L. Armentrout kick)

Third Quarter

KG-D. Brown 22-yard pass from C. Henderson (L. Armentrout kick)

Fourth Quarter

KG-J. Baker 2-yard run (L. Armentrout kick)

Ca-K. Johnson 1-yard run (R. Williams kick)

KG-A. Brown 48-yard kick return (J. Haas kick)

TEAM STATISTICS

Ca KG

First downs8 12

Rushing yardage29-44 30-58

Passing yardage244 274

Passes13-22-2 11-22-0

Punts-Avg.4-41.7 6-28.0

Fumbles-lost0-0 1-1

Penalties-yards9-60 16-113

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: King George—Jordi Estes 12-39, TD; Jacob Baker 7-37, TD; Corey Henderson 7-14; Xavier James 1-4; Markiece Johnson 2-(-6); Team 1-(-30). Caroline—Keyshawn Johnson 16-51, 3TD; JaQuen Monroe 2-6; Aason Pankey 1-5; Keonta Hamilton 2-4; Curtis Leacock 8-(-22).

Passing: King George—Corey Henderson 11-22-0 274, 3TD. Caroline—Curtis Leacock 13-22-2 244.

Receiving: King George—Deshon Brown 4-76, TD; Antwan Brown 3-64; Jacob Baker 3-55, TD; Alon Clipper 1-47, TD; Jordi Estes 1-32. Caroline—Mark Rollins 3-67; DeQuan Pollard 3-65; Keyshawn Johnson 1-48; JaQuen Monroe 3-29; Ralph Tomas 1-21.

Steve Franzello: 540/374-5440

sports@freelancestar.com

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