Terrell Kennedy’s 200 Rushing Yards Gives McGill-Toolen Alabama High School Class 7A Title

Terrell Kennedy isn’t a large running back, but he came up huge on Wednesday night. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound rusher broke the 200 yard mark and scored both of his school’s touchdowns to give McGill-Toolen their first Alabama state title in a 14-12 win over Spain Park.

“I couldn’t be more proud of a group of kids,” second-year head coach Caleb Ross told Al.com after the game. “We were 4-6 last year and a lot of people doubted us, but we didn’t. Our boys didn’t doubt themselves. We set a goal in January to win a state championship. Most people think coming off 4-6, the goal should be just to get in the playoffs. That wasn’t our kids’ goal. They worked at it, believed in it, and tonight made it happen.”

The coach was even more impressed with Kennedy, who only took over the running back role after an mid-season injury sidelined Cole Sharp. “The play Terrell scored on was just an inside zone,” Ross explained. “He made a great run. He’s been our guy the last six or seven weeks. He has great vision. He sees the hole, and he accelerates through it.”

But as proud as the head coach was, his emotions couldn’t compare to DeAnthony Washington, Kennedy’s teammate and cousin. “He’s just spectacular,” Washington said. “I’m proud of him. I’m loving him right now. He told me we were going all the way. I had no doubt that with the lights on, he was going to make the plays. I was just telling him to keep his ears pinned back and keep running it.”