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Kenjray Coffield and the rest of the returning seniors were determined to write a better ending to their high school careers after the COVID-19- disrupted spring football season ended with a 30 point loss at Northside and no trip to the playoffs.

The older players showed the incoming group how to apply themselves during summer workouts and what it took to have success on the field. Mission accomplished so far, as the Seahawks went into last night’s second round playoff game with a 10-1 record and the seventh seed in the 1A post-season.

“Things just didn’t go right in the spring,” Coffield said. “We had the talent, but we were out of whack at the start after all the delays. and never could get it going in the right direction. We made sure we had the right attitude over the summer and it’s paid off.”

Coffield was born in Williamston, moved to Windsor, then to Chocowinity for middle school.

Speed is the 5’10, 165 lb. senior’s biggest asset and it was on display early.

“My dad (who played at Williamston HS) always talked about football when I was little and my mom signed me up for the Windsor rec league when I was six,” Coffield said. “It was fun scoring touchdowns without anybody catching me and that’s what made me like football. I liked basketball better until then.”

As he grew, so did his speed. Coffield exceled at football, basketball, baseball and track at Chocowinity Middle School and the Southside coaches knew about him before he arrived.

“I was excited to see him because I knew he was a good athlete,” coach Jeff Carrow said. “He played as a freshman on both sides of the ball for us and was very consistent. We knew we could put him just about anywhere and he would do well. He had a great attitude and brought energy to our team.”

That energy has been on full display this fall as the Seahawks have put together their best season since the 2015 team finished 12-2. Coffield has been a key to the Seahawks success with 1,317 yards on 113 carries with 18 touchdowns as a tailback and a couple of interception returns for scores from his cornerback spot.

“He’s a very good athlete with really good hands,” Carrow said. “He made a huge interception in the back of the end zone against Swansboro that stands out and an over the shoulder pick against Riverside that most guys couldn’t make. On offense, his blocking has improved along with his ball fakes and vision. He’s learned to use his blockers and hit the hole at the right time.”

Competing on the track in the spring has also helped him develop. Coffield runs the 100 and 200 meters, is part of the 4 x 100 and 4x 200 relay teams and also long jumps.

“Coach Q’s (athletic director and track coach Andre Quinerly) drills have made me faster,” Coffield said. “I’ve gone from 4.6 or 7 as a freshman to 4.2 last spring. I’m still working out to get better, so maybe it will be even better this spring.”

He hopes to play college football at some level and Carrow thinks there’s a spot somewhere.

“We are exposing him to college coaches as an athlete,” Carrow said. “I know rosters are tight because of the extra year of eligibility they are giving because of COVID, but I would think somebody could use his speed and athletic ability. He’s a great kid who can continue to get better.”