WORTON — It’s possible that 10 weeks from now, when assessing Kent County High School’s football season, the turning point will have come before the first official snap.
That turning point also could be the low point, when only 16 players on the roster of 28 showed up for practice on time Tuesday, Sept. 3 — after the entire team had been given the three-day Labor Day weekend off to take care of back-to-school necessities.
Ultimately, a handful more straggled in, but the day was basically a bust.
On a more positive note, coach Harold Somerville reported that Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices were “full practices.”
“The vibe from the fellows is that they are going to be dawgs tonight and want to create history with a win,” Somerville told The Evening Enterprise in a text message Friday morning.
He said coaches and players “feel confident” about tonight’s season opener at Bohemia Manor.
Kickoff is at 6 p.m.
Somerville ’91, who returns for a third year as head coach at his alma mater, is hoping for a better outcome than recent history against Bo Manor. Over the last two seasons, KCHS has put up only six points on the board.
Offensively, look for second-year quarterback Dwan Harris to go to the air, a lot, especially early in the season as the run game gets established.
Across the offensive front, Harris will take snaps from sophomore classmate Taeshaun Demby. The guards are senior Harrison Gibby and sophomore Andrew Fennell, and the tackles are seniors Wesley Townsend, Wyatt Toulson and Shakur Wilson.
Wilson also will see time at tight end with senior JySir Valentine.
Jonah Somerville will line up in the slot or as wideout.
Other receivers are sophomore Dylan Hurtt and juniors Ramon “RJ” Peterson and Jalen Wilmore.
Junior Scottie Ford and sophomore Kalief Roberts will be the primary ball carriers.
Somerville and Roberts also can back up Harris as the signal caller.
On the other side of the ball, Andrew Fennell, Townsend and Toulson will line up at the tackles, Wilson at noseguard, and Valentine and Gibby as defensive ends.
The linebackers are led by juniors Zayvion Brown and Ford and freshman Hunter Hawn, who also will play on the O line and may carry the ball on occasion.
In the secondary, Somerville and Roberts are at safety, and Hurtt, Peterson and Terrell Fennell are cornerbacks.
Somerville will handle the kicking duties, while Harris is penciled in as the punter.
The roster includes returnees Avon Hubbard (offensive and defensive lineman), Thomas Moore (wide receiver, linebacker and cornerback), Max Schofield (defensive end) and Tyree Wright (wide receiver and defensive back).
Newcomers include Cody Cummings (linebacker), Thomas Cunningham (defensive end), Xavier Johnson (running back and defensive back), Jayden Johnson (offensive and defensive lineman), Deandre Sisco (kicker) and Blake McDonald (linebacker).
Xavier Johnson and Hawn are products of Kent County’s Spartans youth football program.
What should we expect this season?
“Like I say every year, we have the talent,” coach Somerville told The Evening Enterprise.
“I’m expecting some wins,” he said.
The Trojans went 2-9 last year, which included a 34-18 upset at Snow Hill in the first round of the Class 1A state tournament. It was their first playoff win since 2016.
The Trojans also won two games in 2022.
“We have the skill,” coach Somerville said. “If the line does their part, I think everything else will fall into place.”
“Our size isn’t huge, but hopefully our hearts are,” Somerville said.
He added, “To sum it all up, we have a determined mind.”
NOTES: Kent County’s football players participated in voluntary conditioning three days a week throughout the summer. They competed in several 7-on-7 contests. *** Harold Somerville’s coaching staff includes Damon Callis, Paul Tue, Damian Brooks, Deontray Lively and Chas Willis. *** The home opener is Friday, Sept. 13 versus Arcadia (Virginia).
