Short-handed Cedar Rapids Kennedy tops Dubuque Hempstead, 24-7

CEDAR RAPIDS - The extra day of rest couldn't come at a better time for Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

The Cougars are going to need a little extra rest and recovery. Especially after seeing eight defensive starters sidelined during the second half Thursday night.

Being short-handed didn't hinder Kennedy. Reserves filled in and quarterback B.J. White connected on three touchdown passes, giving the Cougars a hard-fought 24-7 victory over Dubuque Hempstead at Kingston Stadium.

'I think we took a step forward,” head coach Brian White said.

'Certainly, not where we need to be yet, and there are things we're going to go back on tape and watch tomorrow.”

Video and a little pool work might be on the agenda Friday. The Cougars lost two linebackers on the opening drive of the second half and left the defense depleted, but they held on to allow just one score.

'We just had guys banged up,” Brian White said. 'Those guys stepped up. What a tribute to those guys and how hard they worked during the week, because you never know when your number is going to be called. They say next man in. We had the next eight men defensively.”

Kennedy (2-1) was able to take advantage of a Hempstead (1-2) defense selling out to stop the run. The Cougars exploited the Mustang blitz for all three TDs. They tried to use it in previous games, but executed it well Thursday.

'It all worked out,” B.J. White said. 'The young guys really stepped up and gave me time.”

The Cougars turned the lone first-half turnover into points. Hempstead's opening drive came to a halt when Terrell Jordan picked off Charlie Reeg at the Cougars' 10.

Kennedy needed five plays to go 65 yards on its first scoring drive. B.J. White rolled to his right and hit tight end Cameron Jones cutting across the field for a 34-yard TD reception, putting the Cougars up 7-0.

The offense provided a crucial answer when Hempstead drove 80 yards on the opening drive of the second half, pulling within 10-7.

Kennedy drove 65 yards on six plays. B.J. White hit Michael Watkins for a 43-yard TD. Watkins was wide open down the left hash. The run game behind Cairron Hendred and Kayshawn Allers, who combined for 142 rush yards, set up the play.

The Cougars capped the scoring with a 7-yard TD reception by Ki Jenkins, who had a game-high 71 receiving yards on four catches.

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