Headed into Friday’s Public League playoff game against Dunbar, King’s focus was on containing the Mighty Men’s Demoria Harris.
Harris, who switched from running back to quarterback this season, is one of the Public League’s most dynamic players.
The Jaguars’ stifled Harris and the high-powered Dunbar offense in a 8-0 victory at Gately Stadium.
King coach Lonnie Williams said that the defense was the key to the win. ‘‘We knew we had to pay special attention and try to contain their quarterback (Harris),” Williams said. ‘‘He is a great athlete and their team goes as he goes. We beat a great coach
with a very good team.’’
Dwight Hunter scored the only touchdown of the game on a 14-yard run to give the Jaguars (7-2) a 6-0 lead with 2:14 remaining in the second quarter. Hunter also excelled at defensive end with nine tackles and four sacks.
Hunter said all week long their game plan was to stop Harris. ‘‘It was a personal challenge that I was looking forward to going against a great athlete like [Harris],’’ Hunter said.
It was a must-win game for the Mighty Men, coming in with a 4-4 record, Dunbar needed a victory to earn a berth into the IHSA playoffs.
There was a total of look of dejection on the face of Dunbar coach Glenn Johnson as he walked off the field.
‘‘You would think that in a game of this magnitude, with everything on the line, and so much to play for that we would have given a better effort,’’ Johnson said. ‘‘This is not the way we’d hoped to end our season.’’
Despite having two long touchdowns called back on penalties, Lance Robinson gained 107 yards on 23 carries for the Jaguars.
King added a safety with 3:33 remaining in the third quarter when Demetrius Abbott tackled Harris in the end zone.
Rayqwon Erving had two interceptions to lead Dunbar (4-5).
After the game Johnson and Williams hugged each other at midfield, sharing their mutual respect with both having coached in the Public League for over 40 years.
“It has been an honor playing against a coach like Glenn for all these years,” Williams said. “He is an honorable man, true gentleman, and a hall of fame coach.”
