KENTWOOD, La. — Kentwood won its their first District 6 Region 1A matchup at home Thursday by spreading the ball around the field to run past the East Iberville for a 39-14 victory.
“We’ve gone into survival mode with a lot of injuries, but the most important thing is that we are 1-0 in district.” Kentwood head coach Jonathan Foster said.
Senior quarterback Jaleel Hampton threw for over four touchdowns and 200 passing yards on the night. He had a few interceptions early in the season but has played quarterback at different times in his career.
“It’s going to come with time and experience.” Foster said.
“They gave us the big play by going zero coverage. And the big play, they gave up over and over.”
In the first quarter Hampton connected with Trey Palmer, the speedster slot receiver for a 15-yard touchdown, making the score 6-0. Then the score clock went out, and the rest of the game was kept by the referees.
The Tigers (1-4, 1-1) struck back with a fumble recovery they took 60 yards for a score. The Kangaroos (2-3, 1-0) receiver did not realize the screen pass was lateral and live.
The score was 6-6 in second quarter. Hampton again connected with Palmer on a seam route for a 40-yard touchdown. After a made PAT, the score was 13-6.
A reverse flea-flicker to Palmer resulted in him taking it to the house once more from 30 yards out.
After a Jacoby White PAT, the score was 20-6. Hampton again exposed the defense with an over the top seam route to slot receiver Edward Magee for a 50-yard touchdown, making it 26-6 after the PAT.
The Tigers again showed grit after a miss-fielded punt gave them great field position. They ran the ball in to make the score 26-14 in the third quarter.
Then Hampton connected with Palmer on a 70-yard go route down the right hashes for a touchdown. 33-14 was the score after the PAT.
After a sure Kangaroo touchdown was snatched away by the Tigers in a fumble at the Kangaroos goal line, Kentwood would leave the ball in the quarterback’s hands on the next drive. Hampton threw a final touchdown pass to extend the lead to 39-14.
