FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: McKinney carries the load for Tigers

Published 1:47 pm Wednesday, October 30, 2013

On the attack: Chilton County senior defensive end Patrick McKinney (44) brings down a quarterback earlier this season.

On the attack: Chilton County senior defensive end Patrick McKinney (44) brings down a quarterback earlier this season.

Seniors Patrick McKinney and Beau Waid form quite a tandem at each end of Chilton County High School’s defense line.

The pair pressure the opposing quarterback and stuff the run game.

“That’s two people you really don’t have to worry about how they’re going to line up,” CCHS coach Donnie Hand said. “They’re smart kids. TheY go full speed.

“When Beau decided to play, Patrick would get with him and try to show him some stuff. Coaches can get things across, but when you have a player that’s been there for a long time, sometimes that’s easier.”

Waid is playing football this year for the first time since youth league, while McKinney is in a starting role for the third consecutive season.

“He probably knows the defense as well as the coaches,” Hand said.

While his first two years as a starter were spent at defensive tackle, McKinney was moved to end this season so that he could take less of a beating and thus contribute more on offense as a tight end.

But with Waid out of last week’s game against Ramsay while recovering from an infection, McKinney carried the load himself.

McKinney registered 11 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and two quarterback hurries, and has been named The Clanton Advertiser’s Football Player of the Week.

“He’s one of the leaders of the team,” Hand said. “He’s one of the hardest working kids in the weight room. You hope some of that rubs off on some of the other kids.”

Hand said that other than a busted coverage on a fourth-and-1 play and a screen pass that included a few missed tackles, the Tigers defense performed well in the 20-13 win.

Waid should be back in action for Calera’s visit this week.

Honorable mention

Cameron Castleberry, Thorsby

•Caught four passes for 45 yards in a 36-0 loss to B.B. Comer.

•Returned two kickoffs to total about 120 yards in the game.

Justin Caudle, Jemison

•Caught two passes for 40 yards and a touchdown in a 52-14 loss to Calera.

•Recorded 8.5 tackles, including one tackle for loss, on defense.

Jared Mims, Verbena

•Rushed 14 times for 51 yards and one touchdown in a 20-19 win over Winterboro.

•Completed four passes in 12 attempts for a touchdown, which was the game-winner on fourth down from the 13-yard line.

Anthony Moore, Maplesville

•Rushed eight times for 65 yards and a touchdown in a 69-6 win over Keith.

•Returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown.

Tyler Smith, Isabella

•Rushed 25 times for 130 yards and a touchdown in a 41-20 loss to Montgomery Academy.

•Completed five passes in nine attempts for 60 yards.

•Returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.

Tommy Williams, Billingsley

•Rushed six times for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a 66-6 win over Holy Spirit.

Previous winners

•Week 1: Keyshawn Jemison, Jemison

•Week 2: Damian Mitchell, Maplesville

•Week 3: DeRodgus Campbell, Isabella

•Week 4: Beau Waid, Chilton Co.

•Week 5: RaeQuane Jones, Jemison

•Week 6: Randy Satterfield, Jemison

•Week 7: Colby Chambers, Maplesville

•Week 8: Thomas Nichols, Billingsley