Things are changing for Kennedy football, and the McCarter brothers are among those making it happen.
In one of the biggest games in program history, the Crusaders knocked off Ag. Science 17-8 in Week 6 at Gately Stadium.
That all but clinched the Public League White Southwest title for Kennedy (5-1, 3-0), whose two remaining conference games are against teams are a combined 2-10. And that means the Crusaders likely are heading to the IHSA playoffs for just the second time in program history.
Junior Kamarion McCarter ran 13 times for 43 yards and two touchdowns for Kennedy, while his sophomore brother Kavarion had two of the Crusaders’ three interceptions. Armando Pena also picked off a pass for Kennedy and David Solarczyk kicked a 37-yard field goal.
“I love when we both make good plays because we make our mom proud,” Kavarion McCarter said. “I love to make my mom proud.”
Kamarion McCarter feels the same way.
“It’s the best feeling ever because it’s family over here,” he said. “I see my brother doing great, it motivates me to do great, too.”
The Crusaders lost their starting quarterback to injury in a 14-7 loss to Marshall in Week 3. Since then, they’ve relied on a heavy dose of running out of the Wildcat formation with Kamarion McCarter and Jonathan Castro, who had 19 carries for 93 yards against Ag. Science.
Sophomore quarterback Julian Cuevas only threw one pass against the Cyclones, but it went for a 30-yard completion to Joseph Dahl. Kamario McCarter scored from 8 yards out on the next play with 15.9 seconds left in the second quarter, giving the Crusaders a 10-0 halftime lead.
The other key to Kennedy’s success has been a defense that has allowed only 34 points in six games.
Much credit for that goes to assistant coach Richard Bigham, according to Kavarion McCarter.
“He thrives to get us to do better and the more he (yells), the better we are because we’re scared of doing bad in front of him,” Kavarion McCarter said with a smile. “He’s such a good coach.”
Kamarion McCarter’s second touchdown run, a 2-yarder, made it 17-0 with 3:59 left in the third quarter. Ag. Science (4-2, 2-1) scored early in the fourth, but the Kennedy defense took care of business the rest of the way.
“They’re huge,” Kennedy coach Robert Albano said. “They’ve worked together, they’ve worked hard all year, done everything we’ve asked of them, played through little nicks, little injuries.”
“This is amazing,” Kavarion McCarter said. “We’re going to be remembered in history as one of the best — no, we are going to be the best Kennedy football team.”