Beyond winning and losing: Kennedy Eagles junior varsity

The JV Kennedy Eagles five-game winning streak came to an end against Encinal High last night, in a game that had more at stake than just winning or losing.

“The only thing I wanted to do coming in to today was to make sure Encinal had a challenge and that my boys earned some respect,” said Coach Mack, head junior varsity coach for the Kennedy Eagles.

“They didn’t come in with respect but we definitely got some here today.”

Eighteen players were removed from the JV team last year—a day before this very game—and the team suffered a defeat they will never forget.

“We lost pretty bad last year. The score was 59 to nothing but they went in like warriors today; they are coached to overcome adversity,” said Coach Mack who lost only two players to academic probation this year.

After placing second to last in the 2009 season, a resurgent JV squad enjoyed a 6-3 record coming into the game. But the streak would end.

Running Back Jordan Whitley, #6, making his second touchdown in the second quarter

Jordan Whitley, #6, scored two opportune touchdowns in the second quarter after Kennedy was down 14-0, and they led at halftime 22-14.

But the lead slipped away when Whitley left the game with an ankle injury in the third quarter. Encinal intercepted the Eagles twice and piled up the points. The final score was 30-22, Encinal.

“They’ve been playing their behinds off and this is the first loss we have had in five weeks, so it’s a little difficult, but they accepted it and handled it the way that they needed to,” said Coach Mack.

The JV Kennedy Eagles have the opportunity to make a full 180-degree turn when they play Piedmont High next week—a win that could potentially earn them the second place title in this years tournament. Coach Mack, however, will be pleased with any outcome.

“Wins or losses is not really the big thing,” he said. “Second, third, whatever—it’s the growth and development that matters to me.”