THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 3, 1996 TAG: 9610310184
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 55 lines
KENTRON KING cracked a huge smile as he walked off the Northeastern High School football field last Friday night. It was a feeling King hadn't had since last season when he was one of the Albemarle area's premier rushers. A groin injury sustained the first week of this season has kept him out of action, with the exception of a few carries.
Friday night was worth the wait. In Northeastern's 42-17 win over Northern Nash, King rushed for 197 yards on 20 carries as teammates shouted ``the King is back'' from the sidelines.
In 1995, King, then just a sophomore, gained 1,200 yards. This year, according to Northeastern head coach Eric McDaniels, Northeastern's offense has suffered in his absence. Although senior Don Jones has filled in admirably for King since late August, King's presence in the lineup gives the Eagles another weapon: the big play.
``It makes us a much better offense when we have both of them going well,'' McDaniels said.
The first drive of the game King showed his big play capability. On Northeastern's first play from scrimmage, King burst 16 yards on a handoff. On the third play of the game, he took a handoff and raced 36 yards down the right sideline, which set up Jones' 19 yard touchdown run.
On another first half drive, King had 49 of Northeastern's 58 yards, including runs of 20 and 13 yards and the touchdown run of seven yards, to give the Eagles a 22-10 lead. King had 134 yards of rushing in the first half alone.
With two threats in the backfield, Northeastern didn't need to pass. Quarterback Tim Mitchell attempted just six passes while King and Jones combined for 364 yards on the ground.
King credited the Eagles offensive line, which opened some gaping holes in the Northern Nash defensive line, for his success.
``The offensive line let me get through those holes,'' he said as he joined defensive back Javon Green in an interview session at midfield. Green also set a personal record intercepting three passes, two for touchdowns. Both players wore huge grins as they left the field.
In the locker room, McDaniels said that King was still not at his full potential.
``He's still behind in game conditioning, maybe he's still a step behind.'' McDaniels said. ``That's just how impressive he was in 1995.
``He had a great night,'' the coach added. ``It would be nice for him to put two or three games like this together.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Kentron King was key to Northeastern High's 42-17 win over Northern
Nash rushing for 197 yards on 20 carries.
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL by CNB