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Kenny Randle (21) got fewer carries as a senior at North Stafford, but did enough |
By TODD JACOBSON
As frustrating as Kenny Randle's senior season at North Stafford was, it has a happy ending.
The North Stafford running back has orally committed to play football at Georgetown, he said yesterday, partially making up for Randle's tough transition under first-year coach Robert Senseney.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound tailback has yet to take his official visit, but plans to choose Division I-AA Georgetown over Marshall, James Madison and Richmond. He will take his official visit in January and plans to sign a national letter of intent in February.
"This makes up for all of it," Randle said yesterday. "It makes me feel like the work I put in this year and last year was worthwhile. This was what I wanted in the first place."
Randle spent his freshman and sophomore years in Korea, but when his father retired from the Army, Randle moved to the area and had a productive first season at North Stafford.
He ran for 1,171 yards and 12 touchdowns as the Wolverines reached the Division 5 state championship game before losing to Meadowbrook.
His senior year didn't go quite as well.
Senseney arrived at North Stafford from Gretna and installed a no-huddle, spread offense, limiting Randle's touches.
The Wolverines were 7-3 and missed the Northwest Region Division 5 playoffs, and Randle spent the season sharing carries with senior Correll Baskerville.
He ran for 795 yards and eight touchdowns and was an all-Commonwealth District second-team selection.
"Last year we were primarily a running team," Senseney said. "He was the one that touched the ball 20-plus times. This year we were more of a mix of no-huddle and huddle and taking what people gave us and sometimes it meant less touches for him. He did a good job of handling the change."
That doesn't mean Randle enjoyed the changes, however.
"It was tough. I didn't like that at all," Randle said. "I am not used to sharing time. I felt like I was going to be the No. 1 back. In the long run it helped me out because I came out with no injuries and I am 100 percent fresh."
And he still thinks he can help Georgetown. The Hoyas were 4-7 as a member of the Patriot League this fall.
Georgetown hasn't had a winning record since joining the Patriot League in 2000.
Georgetown does not offer football scholarships, but Randle said he will receive preferential financial aid.
"I feel like I can help their team out a lot," said Randle, who plans to major in business. "I can put in a lot of good work for these guys and help build their program up because that's what they are trying to do. I feel like the coaches were telling me I would be one of the key players that would help build them up."
To reach TODD JACOBSON:
Email: tjacobson@freelancestar.com
