If a single moment encapsulates Kennedy’s football resurgence this season, it came late in the fourth quarter Saturday.
First a buzz overtook the home crowd. Then a cheer that rose to a crescendo as fans recognized the Cavaliers’ star, quarterback Melvin Harris, was limping into the game.
Kennedy trailed, 24-19, with 2 minutes, 13 seconds left, and faced fourth and 10 from its own 35-yard line. In other words, it was desperation time. But Harris turned darkness into light.
First he scrambled for the 10 yards needed to keep the drive alive. Nine plays later — and with no timeouts left — Harris scored on a quarterback sneak with 5 seconds left to give Kennedy a 25-24 win.
With a sprained ankle on a muddy field, Harris carried for two first downs and passed for two more. Kennedy had trailed, 16-0, but in the second half, Harris rushed for two touchdowns, threw a touchdown pass, and returned an interception for another score.
“When Melvin came into the game, the crowd electrified us,” said Kennedy tight end Chimso Okoji, who had three receptions on the winning drive. “When there’s no play, he makes something happen with his legs or his arm. Now we just believe in him.”
Tonight against Poolesville, coach Gunard Twyner’s Cavaliers (4-1) have a chance to take another step toward an unlikely playoff berth. The team hasn’t had a winning season since 1992.
Oddly enough, the Cavaliers’ clutch work comes from a player in his first year of high school football. Last fall, Harris was ineligible. The year before, he opted for Pop Warner. At the time, Harris wasn’t interested in playing for a team mired in a losing streak that by the end of last season stretched to 25 games. But times have changed for Harris and Kennedy.
“I knew they had a losing past, but I knew what I could do,” said Harris. “If they had a leader they would follow me. I didn’t second-guess the talent at all. We just needed a coach who could rally us up.”
Is there a better authority on rallies than Harris?
Harris poll
» Kennedy has scored 21 touchdowns this season. Harris played a role in all but five.
» Harris is 5-foot-10, 175 pounds and runs 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.
» Harris’ favorite target is Abreon Scott, who is tied for first in Montgomery County in receptions (30) and is second in receiving yards (435).
