The Kell offense was bound to have a different look after star quarterback Evan Conley graduated. At the Corky Kell Classic Saturday morning, it was a freshman running back who gave the Longhorns’ attack a big boost, and perhaps a new identity.
David Mbadinga caught a screen pass and ran it 33 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, and he rushed 17 times for 104 yards for the game, as Kell downed Mays 17-12 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Mbadinga helped ease the transition for new Kell quarterback Corbin Lafrance. A junior, Lafrance succeeds Evan Conley, who is now playing at the University of Louisville.
Kell’s offense sputtered early on, although the Longhorns took a 7-0 lead into the second half. Mays scored a touchdown in the third quarter, but missed the extra point to trail 7-6.
That’s when Mbadinga took over. After his touchdown reception from Lafrance, Mbadinga peeled off a 16-yard gain for a first down to reach the Mays 4-yard-line. Kell kicked a field goal to push the lead to 17-6.
On the next series, Kell defender Keith Williams intercepted a pass.
With 1:28 to play in the game, Mays scored a touchdown to close to 17-12 but could not convert a two-point play.
Kell is 8-2 all-time in the Corky Kell Classic, which like the school is named in honor of the late Wheeler coach.
“Our kids played with great passion and emotion, they really played hard,” said Kell coach Brett Sloan, who is 2-1 in Corky Kell games as he begins his third season.
As for Mbadinga, Sloan smiled and said, “We’ve been excited about him for a while. We’re glad he’s on our team.”
The Longhorns are off next week, then play at Lassiter Sept. 6.
Walton ‘found a way’
Walton played Norcross Saturday afternoon in the Corky Kell Classic, and trailed 20-7 before staging a big comeback in the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Zak Rozsman threw a pass to Julian Bumper, who ran down the sideline for an 82-yard touchdown with 7:03 remaining.
Walton’s defense responded on the next drive for Norcross as Jonathan Chesser and Titus McBride teamed up for a quarterback sack on third down.
The Raiders started their next possession on the Norcross 21 after a personal foul on the fair catch of a Blue Devils punt.
That’s when running back KD Stokes took over for Walton, picking up 14 yards to set up first-and-goal on the two, then scoring the touchdown on the next play.
A Conor Cummins extra-point gave Walton a 21-20 lead with 3:10 to play, but Norcross had a chance to win with 16 seconds left.
After a long drive, Norcross placekicker Kellen Grave de Peralta, who made two field goals in the second half, attempted a 44-yarder. But after a shaky hold, his kick came out on a line drive and was no good, and Walton players celebrated their 21-20 win.
“We found out what kind of team we are today,” said Walton coach Daniel Brunner. “They fought, fought, fought. They’re a resilient bunch.”
He said the Raiders emphasize a set of “core values” and that one of them embodied their victory Saturday.
“Find a way,” he said. “They found a way today.”
Walton is off next week and plays host to Pope on Sept. 6.
Friday night highlights
Three East Cobb teams opened their seasons on Friday night.
J.D. Thomas scored four touchdowns, including a 93-yard kickoff return on the opening play of the game, as Wheeler won its first game under new coach Bryan Love by a 42-19 score over Lambert.
Next week the Wildcats will visit East Cobb rival Sprayberry, which lost its season opener on the road, 34-20, at South Forsyth.
Lassiter also was on the road to open the season and things got out of hand early for the Trojans in a 47-3 loss at Harrison. The only points of the game for Lassiter, which was playing for a new coach, Sean Thom, came on a field goal late in the fourth quarter.
The Trojans will stay on the road next Friday in another all-East Cobb game when they meet Pope in the season opener for the Greyhounds.
More high school sports
- Walton volleyball win streak at 101; new gym opener next
- Wheeler runners excel at Hoya Invitational cross country meet
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