Bayside could only hope to contain Whaley as he set records

Salem's Kevin Whaley scores a touchdown on a 28-yard run against Bayside during the first quarter, breaking the South Hampton Roads all-time scoring record. (Genevieve Ross photos | The Virginian-Pilot)

By Jami Frankenberry
The Virginian-Pilot

VIRGINIA BEACH

The PlayStation spin moves and quick cuts didn’t produce long touchdown dashes from the backfield, and there was that late-game fumble.

It was an atypical night, in other words, save for the result: a W.

For Win.

And Whaley.

Salem running back Kevin Whaley rushed for 91 yards – a season low – but nonetheless became South Hampton Roads’ all-time rushing leader in the No. 2 Sun Devils’ 19-12 victory over eighth-ranked Bayside on Friday night.

Whaley was hardly wowing on this night, but in three-plus varsity seasons, the 5-foot-11, 175-pounder has amassed 4,516 yards. He passed former rushing king Mike Majette, who gained 4,500 at Princess Anne from 1992-95.

Whaley also scored two touchdowns before a packed home stadium to become the all-time leading scorer in South Hampton Roads with 366 points.

“I ain’t worried about yards, I ain’t worried about records,” Whaley said. “I’m just worried about the victory and how my team played. We didn’t have all that good a game, but we got the win.”

Whaley needed 75 yards to tie Majette, and Bayside stacked the line of scrimmage and made him wait until two minutes into the fourth quarter to make history.

On second-and-6, Whaley took a handoff from quarterback Brian Robinson and ran up the middle for a 7-yard gain to break the record. He was given the game ball, shook hands with the referees and jogged over to get a helmet slap from coach Robert Jackson and a hug from assistant coach Vincent Pugh.

Then it was back to the game, a taut yet sloppy Beach District match-up that sent Salem to 4-0.

Whaley had 17 rushing attempts and scored on a 28-yard run, and in the second quarter returned a kickoff 82 yards for another score. The Sun Devils, though, were held to a season-low 173 total yards.

“They were just blitzing a lot of people,” Whaley said. “We didn’t know where they were going to come from and showed us some stuff that we (weren’t) ready for.”

The Sun Devils surrendered 250 total yards, including 147 rushing to Brandon Staton, but limited star quarterback E.J. Manuel to 6-for-17 passing and 70 yards.

On the Marlins’ final series of the game – after they recovered Whaley’s fumble – Manuel threw three consecutive incompletions from the Salem 28.

Salem's Kevin Whaley signs an autograph for nine-year-old Johrden Spain after Salem defeated Bayside 19-12.

Kareem Webb returned Manuel’s only interception 44 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the second quarter.

Both teams were scoreless after halftime.

“They had a good defense,” Manuel said. “I as a quarterback didn’t execute as good as I could have.”

After the game, Whaley got a hug from his mother, Tracey, and stood in the end zone, dreadlocks hanging past his shoulders as he answered questions from a horde of interviewers.

Whaley thanked his offensive line and, as he has over the past few weeks, downplayed reaching the top of the career rushing list.

Still, even the usually reserved Whaley couldn’t help cracking a toothy grin at the thought.

“This feels real good,” Whaley said. “But I’m still going to come out here every night and try to play my best.”

Notable stats: S–Brian Robinson 1-8-0, 18 yards passing, 9-42 rushing; B–Staton 19-147 rushing; Marquel Thomas 4-66 receiving.

Jami Frankenberry, (757) 446-2295

jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com