New Kent Middle School football finishes 7-1, tie for regular season championship

By Community Member | October 30, 2014 1:14 pm

New Kent Middle School football players use a strong offensive push to score a touchdown.

New Kent Middle School’s football team recently completed the regular season, finishing 7-1 in the Bay Rivers District and earning a share of the conference championship.

The finish by the Lions marks a memorable season, finishing with one of their best records in the history of the program and ending in a three-way tie for the top spot. The Lions outscored opponents 283-95 over the eight-game span.

“Their focus, drive, and determination have helped them reach levels not seen in a long time in New Kent,” said head coach Ronnie Henley.

The Lions overcame early season adversity, losing key player Dalantae Cheesman in the second game of the season and suffering their only loss against Hornsby Middle School. However, the Lions bounced back, defeating Yorktown Middle School 41-14 and closing out the season with three straight wins.

“Sending a message was our goal,” Henley continued. “The program hasn’t had a lot of success in recent history. We wanted to send a message to the rest of the conference that New Kent County football is on the rise.

“We achieved that goal thus far,” he continued. “We look forward to sending that message on Nov. 8 at Bailey Field in York County during conference bowl day activities.”

Henley hopes that goals set at the middle school level are a foreshadowing of things yet to come. He expects the group of players to bring a state championship to New Kent by 2018.

“That’s what we really want and I believe this group of young men can and will do exactly that,” Henley concluded.