FORT PIERCE — K.J. Davis, in his wildest dreams, probably didn’t envision his first trip to paydirt in the 2026 season coming on a defensive score.
Early in the first quarter against St. Lucie West Centennial, the Coastal Carolina tight end commit raced around the edge and strip-sacked a backpedaling Dakary Boswell. Davis pounced on the ball after it landed in the end zone. When the John Carroll Catholic star returned to the sideline, he was greeted by head football coach Mickey Groody.
“I told him, ‘Man, if you keep that up, you’re going to start being recruited as a defensive end,'” Groody said with a laugh. “He’s a guy who’s going to do whatever he needs to do to make sure the team is in the right position. The rest takes care of itself.”
The defensive highlight was part of an all-out onslaught from the Rams, who scored on every offensive possession and rolled to a 54-7 victory over Centennial in a Kickoff Classic on Thursday, Aug. 13, at McGuire Stadium.
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“I’m not a defensive end, but I needed to play there for our team,” Davis said. “The quarterback rolled out, and I was able to strip the ball from behind.”
Davis first saw action on the edge late last season during the team’s postseason game against eventual state champion American Heritage. After moving from the secondary, he continued to play up front during the Rams’ spring jamboree against Fort Pierce Central and South Fork.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Davis made his presence felt throughout his time on defense and nearly blocked a punt on special teams. As for his bread and butter, he shined there, too.
The senior tight end caught two touchdown passes, the first on a 12-yard toss from Chance Sullivan and the second on a 4-yard reception from Carter Cullen that made it 37-0 and triggered a running clock. Davis finished with four catches for 46 yards.
“It’s no surprise. He’s really a freak athlete,” Groody said.
Felix Jackson added two rushing touchdowns on a pair of 6-yard runs. Meanwhile, Donevon Richardson broke multiple tackles en route to a 19-yard touchdown reception on the Rams’ first play from scrimmage.
The Rams led 28-0 after the first quarter and 44-0 at halftime. Defensively, the team forced three turnovers.
“You never know what you’re going to get in a Kickoff Classic,” Groody said. “You’ve only been playing with each other for three weeks, so you never know what you’re going to get when you face someone else. But I’m proud of all our guys. In all three phases, I thought we did a great job.”
The Eagles struggled offensively through the first three quarters and didn’t record a first down until 7:22 remained in the second quarter. They showed signs of life after the Rams inserted their reserves. Centennial drove the length of the field and scored its lone touchdown when Aalijah Thomas crossed the goal line on a 4-yard run on the game’s final play.
“It’s all about experience and getting these guys live reps because I think only one returner got varsity reps last year,” first-year Eagles coach Alfred Yates said. “It’s mostly JV kids. … So all in all, tonight was a learning experience.”
This story will be updated shortly.
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for Treasure Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at 772-985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Kickoff Classic: Division I commit K.J. Davis stars in John Carroll’ blowout
Reporting by Patrick Bernadeau, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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By Patrick Bernadeau, Treasure Coast Newspapers | USA TODAY Network
