Kennett ekes past Henderson, sets up clash with WC East
WEST CHESTER — Kennett may have been focusing on the wrong West Chester this week.
With a blockbuster matchup against West Chester East, October 4, the Blue Demons first had to get through West Chester Henderson, Friday.
They did, but it was not pretty.
What is pretty is the unblemished record Kennett boasts after a 20-7, a win’s-a-win win over the hosting Warriors in Ches-Mont American Division play.
“It was sloppy,” Kennett coach Lance Frazier said. “It gave me flashbacks of early last season. We snapped out of it and showed resolve and maturity and got back to it. All that aside, West Chester Henderson came ready to play. They were well-prepared for what we do.”
Kennett (5-0 American, 6-0 overall) forced a three-and-out to start the game, but were fortunate Henderson (1-3, 1-5) didn’t notice the gunner was uncovered in the punt formation. Then the Blue Demons were fortunate they recovered the muffed punt. But the first snap on offense sailed over Sam Forte’s head and the Warriors recovered at the Kennett five.
Eddie Smink snuck it in from two yards out to give Henderson a 7-0 lead, but that was about it, from an offensive success standpoint, as the Blue Demons clamped down, defensively.
Kennett allowed just 123 yards on 37 snaps and forced three turnovers.
“We’re a really gritty team,” said Forte, who had two interceptions from his cornerback position. “It’s kind of relieving on offense, knowing you have a stonewall on the defensive side. When we’re not playing well, the defense can come on and make stops.”
At the end of the first quarter, Kennett finally found the end zone on an eight-yard run by Garrett Cox. He added another on the opening drive of the third, but overall, Henderson contained him, holding him to just two carries over 10 yards and a total of 115 on 21 totes.
Forte proved to be the problem on the ground. The junior QB ran for 91 yards on 12 carries, seven going for first downs.
He only completed five passes on the night, but two of them were key fourth-down pickups on the drive Kennett took the lead for good.
“They’re tough and they have some good athletes,” Henderson coach John Lunardi said. “They’re well-coached. They made a couple plays on us where we had an opportunity to get off the field on third and fourth down and couldn’t get off.”
Kennett had six pre-snap penalties and committed two turnovers, but that defense has given up just 67 points and 1,124 total yards in six games.
“Championships are won, defensively,” said Frazier. “It’s what we hang our hat on. We don’t want to lean on our defense like that, though. We have to get better and more consistent on offense, but our defense is always prepared, week in and week out.”
Tommy Patrissi had an interception for Kennett, and Forte’s pair gave him four on the season. Forte also had a touchdown pass to Buzzy Hertz in the fourth to ice the game.
Next up is 5-1 West Chester East, on the road, in what will have huge implications in the American Division race. Were the Blue Demons to win, they’d be a win over Great Valley away from their first league title.
“It’s really exciting,” Forte said. “There’s a lot riding on it, but we don’t prepare any different. We have the same mindset and have to put our best effort out there.”
Kennett is also one win away from tying the school record for victories in a season.
Henderson will look for its second win at home against Great Valley next week. Nate Mulhern had an interception for the Warriors and their defense held Kennett to 7.5 points less than its average.
“I don’t believe in moral victories, but I asked the guys to play with outstanding effort and heart, and they did that,” Lunardi said. “We have to clean up the physical and mental mistakes, but they played with the effort and heart we asked for.”
