In an age when me-first wide receivers command attention often disproportionate to their deeds, DeMatha’s Kenny Tate is refreshingly low-key. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior has the talent, minus the ’tude.
His only concession to style, it seems, is one long white sock on his right leg, one short one on his left. As it turns out, however, Tate’s leg wear is not for show. It’s a reminder to stay humble.
Three years ago, in a middle school basketball game, Tate leaped, was undercut by an opponent, came down awkwardly and suffered a broken patella. The knee-high “stocking” Tate wears today is the one he was issued in the hospital for his left leg while his right leg was repaired.
“I wear it to remind me that I’m blessed to be able to play this sport after that tragic incident,” said Tate. “I don’t remember exactly how it was broken. All I remember is that it hurt.”
These days, Tate is putting the hurt on opponents. Sunday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, he will be a marked man when No. 1 DeMatha (11-0) meets No. 6 Good Counsel (10-1) in search of its fourth straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title.
Tate’s numbers aren’t overwhelming, but his effect on the opposition is. He plays wide receiver, tailback, safety, and returns punts and kicks. Tate has rushed 25 times for 321 yards and caught 16 passes for 347 yards and six scores. His effect as a decoy is immeasurable.
“Brian Westbrook was like that,” said DeMatha coach Bill McGregor. “You could play him at tailback or wide receiver. He had that kind of athleticism. But the thing that sets Kenny apart is that he’s so big and he’s so tough.”
In the Stags’ 28-7 victory over McNamara inthe WCAC semifinals Saturday, Tate showed his toughness, catching a screen pass and breaking three tackles on a 14-yard touchdown reception.
“We don’t have anybody that can match up with him,” said Good Counsel coach Bob Milloy. “My God, he could skip his senior year and jump straight to the NFL. I wish he would.”
Big man Tate
» In two varsity seasons, Tate has returned three kickoffs, two punts and one interception for touchdowns.
» Fourteen of Tate’s 21 high school touchdowns have come on plays of at least 30 yards.
» Tate began his football career at age 6 as a running back with the Peppermill Pirates. He didn’t play wide receiver until arriving at DeMatha.
