RIVIERA BEACH – Eighth-ranked King’s Academy (8-1; 2-1 in District 9-2M) has been on an amazing run, and that continued last night (Oct. 28) against fifth-ranked Inlet Grove (6-2; 2-1 in 9-2M).
Two amazing things happened last night for King’s Academy: It secured the District 9-2M title and extended its win streak to seven games.
The Lions defense showed up early and often in this one.
Junior Jermaine Council had a pick on Inlet Grove’s first offensive possession. He read the quarterback’s eyes and leaped for the interception.
“It just comes to watching film and breaking down what they do,” Council said. “If they are in three-by-one, somebody is going to come to the flats. I just read it right and came up with the pick.”
King’s Academy would capitalize on Inlet Grove’s offensive miscue and score on a Joe Dailey quarterback sneak play, which was one of his two scores for the night.
“The offensive line and the receivers did great,”Dailey said. “We had great play calling and it help me get the job done at the end of the day.”
With about 20 seconds left before halftime, King’s was poised to take a two-score lead. But Inlet Grove’s Carl Boldin would come up with an interception that held the King’s Academy lead to 7-0 at the half.
Inlet Grove came out of halftime and scored on a Sebastien Christian run to tie the game at 7-7 and gain some momentum.
The Hurricanes momentum was short lived, as Lions running back Marion Victor would fight his way into the end zone. He answered right back with a score of his own to make it 14-7 in the third quarter.
“I got to give credit to my offensive line,” Victor said. “Without them I cannot do anything. The play calling was really good too.”
Dailey would score his second rushing touchdown of the night with a little over three minutes left in the game to give King’s a 21-7 lead. His score almost put the game out of reach.
Inlet Grove’s offense struggled mightily to get anything going, as it rotated four different guys at quarterback due to starting quarterback Legend Felican being out for this game.
Senior linebacker Joshua Facon played a huge factor in shutting down the Inlet Grove offense. On Inlet Grove’s last possession, he recorded two sacks and forced a turnover on downs to give King’s Academy the ball back to run the clock out.
“I was just locked in,” Facon said. “It was a very close game. We stayed consistent and executed.”
Facon set up the final offensive score with an interception late in the fourth that put King’s Academy in the red zone.
“Coach was screaming watch screen from the sideline,” Facon said. “I read the running back, came down hill and picked it off.”
King’s Academy head coach Ben McEnroe spoke on his team’s performance.
“We’re so proud and that’s a quality opponent we played. Rashad [Jackson] is doing a great job here (Inlet Grove).” McEnroe said. “Defense was the name of the game for us. Coach [Daniel] Burack had those guys prepared, and I’m just really proud.”
McEnroe spoke on how much this win means to his team and the King’s Academy community, as it secured its first district title since 2005.
“It means a lot to us,” McEnroe said. “First thing we do is glorify God in the way we play and act. We always want to represent our school and families to the best of our abilities. Then we’re going to line up and fight for the guys right next to us. I’m proud of the accomplishment.”
WEEK 11 GAMES
Inlet Grove will be at home next week as it looks to finish the regular season out on a high note. It will host Palm Beach Christian Prep (6-1) on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
King’s Academy will have another big test ahead as it will host crosstown rival Benjamin (4-4) on Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. to finish the regular season.
