Overlea receiver Isaiah Megginson and Kenwood sophomore Sean Rose battle for a jump ball along the sidelines.
A strong defense and a running game can win football games and Kenwood had both in a 16-6 win over Overlea.
The Bluebirds were led by senior running back Damon Green. He had 175 yards and two touchdowns of 33 and three yards.
Kenwood coach Clarence Swain
said Green is a special player.
“Damon Green is a huge factor to our team. He trust his offensive line and is a patient runner who hits the hole and keeps his legs moving.”
Kenwood’s defense stopped Overlea on key 3rd and 4th downs.
Defensive End Tyrique Gibson forced an Overlea punt after a tackle on 3rd and short. Gibson also teamed up with junior Kumori Aleong-Pye on a sack that knocked Overlea out of field goal range at the end of the half.
Senior Jeremiah Jones broke up an Overlea fourth down pass at the goal line and tipped away a deep pass in the second quarter.
“Jeremiah Jones played great for us. Sean Rose played his first varsity game as a sophomore and did great in the secondary causing a fumble at the 1 yard line,” Swain said.
“Devon Thompson and Taki Allen had multiple TFLs clogging the run lanes.”
Overlea’s offense was able to move the ball with junior quarterback Dazmir Giles and senior running back Davon Shell and receiver Bryan Mansaray but they only scored once all game.
Overlea scored before halftime when quarterback Giles connected with junior Isaiah Megginson for a 30-yard touchdown reception and then hit tight end Khalil Wright for a 13-yard touchdown pass.
Overlea’s defense created two turnovers but had more opportunities. Defensive back Aaron Pressley had an interception early in the first quarter, but the Falcons only recovered one of three Kenwood fumbles.
When Falcon Jayden Bradner recovered the one fumble at the Kenwood 15, Overlea gave the ball right back. Rose forced the fumble and the Bluebirds recovered it at their goal line.
Kenwood spend most of the fourth quarter pounding the football with Green to help secure the win. Both teams are 2-3. Overlea started off 2-0 but have lost three straight. Kenwood picks up its first win since Week 1.
“This was a great team win. We dominated from start to finish and never gave up. We haven’t played at home in three weeks so having that home crowd felt great,” Swain explained.
“I believe we needed to get back in the win column to get on a roll and [it] was a step in the right direction.”
