In a quiet football locker room at Hixson High School, running back KoKo Kendricks was helping hang up game jerseys Thursday afternoon, not much more than 24 hours before the Wildcats were set to open Region 3-4A play at home against Signal Mountain.
Little about Kendricks’ game is quiet, though, and the 5-foot-10, 155-pounder is a big play waiting to happen with his breakaway speed, shiftiness and field vision — all while running behind an experienced offensive line led by fellow seniors Richard Burney, Diesel Deason and Chase Packer.
Heading into Friday’s game against Signal Mountain (2-1, 1-0), Kendricks has nearly 3,300 career yards, including 171 with three touchdowns in last week’s 21-16 comeback victory at Ooltewah as the Wildcats avoided an 0-3 start.
Nick Rivers, a former Hixson player, is in his first season as head coach at his alma mater after previously working as an assistant for the Wildcats, including the past three years as defensive coordinator. So when he took over in February, Rivers knew what he was getting with a roster that would include Kendricks for one more year.
“The longevity that KoKo has shown is amazing,” Rivers said. “He is somebody who we can hand the ball to and he will make something happen and take us home. Last Friday against Ooltewah, he told me, ‘Coach, just give it to me. We will get the blocks and get it done and win this game. I will take care of the ball for you and put it in the end zone.’