Kirkwood High School's defense delivered a five-star performance on Friday, Nov. 6, shutting out Memphis Overton 35-0 in the first round of the TSSAA Class 5A football playoffs.
Safety AJ Little-Hayes led the charge with two interceptions and a fumble return for a touchdown, all in the first half, according to the Jackson Sun. Quarterback Miles Reding threw three touchdown passes as the Cobras improved to 10-1 on the season.
The win sets up a second-round home matchup against Nolensville (10-1) on Friday, Nov. 13. A victory would put Kirkwood in the state quarterfinals for the first time in school history, the Jackson Sun reported.
Little-Hayes steals the show
Little-Hayes, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior safety, spent most of his junior year on the sidelines. Coach Chad Watson didn't expect him to develop into a starter entering this season, viewing him as a depth piece in the secondary, the Jackson Sun reported.
That changed quickly. Little-Hayes earned a starting spot by the second preseason scrimmage and has been a fixture in the Cobras' defense ever since.
His three-turnover performance against Overton was the latest example. Kirkwood's defense pitched its fifth shutout of the season. Memphis Overton managed a pair of long runs of 72 and 64 yards in the first half, but neither resulted in a score. The Cobras also turned away Overton on a goal-line stand in the second quarter.
Jadon Portis set the tone early. Main Street Media of Tennessee reported that Portis returned the opening kickoff 95 yards, mirroring his kickoff-return touchdown in last season's first-round playoff win over Brighton.
A program on the rise
Kirkwood won its first region championship in program history in Week 11, beating Henry County 31-28, according to the Columbia Daily Herald. The Cobras entered the playoffs ranked No. 21 in the Nashville area Super 25 rankings.
Last season, Kirkwood fell in the second round to eventual state champion Page. The Cobras are hoping for a different result this time around.
Nolensville won its own first-round game convincingly, beating Hendersonville 31-0. The Knights bring a 10-1 record to Kirkwood on Nov. 13.
A Kirkwood win would also mark the first time a Montgomery County team advanced to the state quarterfinals since Northeast reached the 5A semifinals in 2013, the Jackson Sun reported.
