Senior running back Maverick McGee set the pace on offense once again with 151 yards and four rushing touchdowns while the Chiefs defense pitched a shutout – spelling a loud 42-0 Kickapoo (4-0) victory over Camdenton (2-2) on Friday.
“Our kids played very well,” Kickapoo head coach Kurt Thompson said after his team's Week 4 win. “We couldn't be any more pleased.”
The start of the game was delayed two hours as lightning flashed across an ominous Ozarks sky, but Kickapoo, led on offense by the always-dangerous McGee, didn't skip a beat once the festivities got going.
PHOTOS: KICKAPOO VS. CAMDENTON
McGee, fresh off a four-touchdown performance a week ago at Joplin, collected four TD runs in the first half alone on Friday to help his club storm out to a 28-0 lead with just over two minutes to play in the second quarter – the longest of which coming from 56 yards out with 10:27 to go until halftime.
True to his humble form, the senior rusher declined to take much credit for his immense success and instead gave the glory to a stout offensive line in front of him.
“I didn't do much. The [offensive] line did everything they were supposed to and I just ran where there was a hole,” said McGee. “I really can't take much credit for anything.”
McGee was also quick to point out the impressive job done by the unit on the other side of the football – one that allowed Camdenton just 125 yards of total offense after averaging 454 yards coming into its game against Kickapoo.
“The defense, they always are pushing it to their very limits,” McGee said. “They're making plays that most kids wouldn't be able to make.”
Kickapoo's defense managed to force four Laker turnovers on the night – turning several promising drives by Camdenton into empty trips and plenty of frustration.
“That's one thing about our defense, they never stop playing,” added McGee. “There will be a play where they get beat deep, but they don't stop playing. They keep pushing it.”
One of those turnovers came courtesy of freshman DB Jabin Johnson, who recorded his first-career interception in the opening quarter.
“They hit a wheel route and I saw it coming,” Johnson said about his pick. “I just went after the ball and made an athletic play."
Johnson also caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Chris Lawson in the final minute of the second period to put the Chiefs up by five scores.
“[Johnson] is a good player, he's got a bright future with us,” Thompson said. “He's doing what we know he can do.”
The road gets a little more intriguing for Kickapoo as it gets ready to battle with host and arch-rival Glendale on Thursday night, a game that the Chiefs won by a 63-20 score last season. Camdenton, which has now dropped two straight games after winning its first two, will look to rebound at home against Parkview next Friday.
Kickapoo 42, Camdenton 0
Camdenton 0-0-0-0 – 0
Kickapoo 14-21-0-7 – 42
First quarter
Kickapoo – McGee 6 run (kick good)
Kickapoo – McGee 5 run (kick good)
Second quarter
Kickapoo – McGee 56 run (kick good)
Kickapoo – McGee 17 run (kick good)
Kickapoo – Johnson 27 catch from Lawson (kick good)
Fourth quarter
Kickapoo – Martus 9 catch from Auer (kick good)
