By Staff
SERIOUS THREAT The Tornado warnings should go off every time Philadelphia High School senior Kenshay Hunter touches the ball. He has proven he can score from anywhere on the field. Photo by Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
Nov. 5, 2001
PHILADELPHIA Although a good bit of his senior year has been spent banged up, Philadelphia Tornado senior running back Kenshay Hunter has still put up some nice numbers.
Prior to last Friday's 51-20 loss at Florence, Hunter had already rushed for over 1,000 yards.
Hunter, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound running back/defensive back, also knows that his yards don't come without help from his teammates. He was named team captain earlier this year following a good performance the previous week.
Only Hunter declined the honor, bestowing it on his offensive line instead.
Hunter had a field day in a 39-32 Region 5-3A win over West Lauderdale on Oct. 5 that eventually put the Tornadoes in second place in the region.
In the homecoming win over the Knights, Hunter had 18 carries for 312 yards and three touchdowns. He had 306 yards by the end of the third quarter with scoring runs of 59, 93, and 58 yards.
Hunter first made his mark on the high school level on Sept. 17, 1999. Filling in for the injured Marquez Dupree, who went on to sign with the University of Alabama, Hunter had 10 carries in an early season win at Newton.
On those 10 carries, the then-sophomore picked up 179 yards and scored three touchdowns. Hunter ran 82 yards for his first score, then followed that up with touchdown runs of 24 and nine yards as the Tornadoes claimed a 22-6 win.
While Wood didn't see that game, it doesn't surprise him at all.
The Tornadoes take a 6-4 record into Friday's Class 3A playoff game with Velma Jackson at Harpole Stadium.
Hunter said he was uncertain about his plans for next year.
And wherever he goes, somebody's going to be happy to have him.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com or phone him at 693-1551, ext. 3235.