KC Cunningham has a plethora of plays to choose from when it comes to assembling a highlight tape.
Whether it’s rushing, receiving, or playing defense, Cunningham had his pick of accomplishments to catch the attention of college coaches.
There’s one play Cunningham didn’t have access to that he would like to put on that tape. It didn’t have him scoring a touchdown or making a sack. Instead, the play involved Cunningham delivering a block for Kimarri Whitfield so he could gain a first down against DeSoto (Ark.) School in the Columbus Christian Academy football team’s first home playoff game in 11-man football.
“My parents have said it is not only about me, it is about the team,” Cunningham said. “That is what coach (Greg Watkins) said this year. We are one body and we have many parts. My position doesn’t mean that I only run the ball. I have to block and catch the ball.”
The block was especially satisfying because it came at the tail end of a 34-14 victory in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class A playoffs. The victory was the school’s first home playoff victory in 11-man football.
For his accomplishments, Cunningham is The Dispatch’s Small Schools Football Team All-Area Player of the Year.
Cunningham had 173 carries for 1,606 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also had 21 catches for 431 yards and five touchdowns. His achievements helped him earn district MVP honors and a spot in the MAIS All-Star game.
After starting on both sides of the ball for the varsity team for all four years of his high school career, Cunningham, who is a point guard on the school’s boys basketball team, said he is most satisfied about helping to establish a foundation for the football program. Long known for its success in boys basketball, the Rams won their first district title in 11-man football this season and advanced to the playoffs for a second-consecutive season.
“I think I have set the bar at practice and by pushing them,” Cunningham said. “In games, when someone fumbles or misses a tackle, I tell them to keep their head up and let them know that we have their back. I tell them to keep playing their game and keep playing our game because if we keep playing our game, we are going to win.”
Cunningham played on the football team since the seventh grade. It took him a couple of years before he found a starting spot on both sides of the ball. Along the way, he has seen lean times, especially when the school’s football team moved up to Class AA. But the Rams have found their stride back in Class A the past two seasons. Cunningham said the players have gained confidence from doing something that had never been accomplished.
“I am most proud of winning district and going to the second round,” Cunningham said. “I also and proud of the fact that me and my teammates Grant (Wyatt) and Chris (Randazzo) went to the All-Star game and my other teammates who made all-district. A good number of players made all-district. Our whole team accomplished a lot and left a trademark for the next team to try to improve on.”
Watkins said Cunningham’s versatility comes through in a highlight tape. Off the field, he said Cunningham matured in the past two seasons and realized other players needed to be successful for him to have success. That realization paved the way for him to have an exceptional senior season.
“He did a real good job of taking that role and making those key blocks for the other guys to spring those yards,” Watkins said. “When the block sprung those yards, the defenses had to adjust. KC was the type of player who didn’t need much. His senior year he saw the field a whole lot better.”
Cunningham had the speed to get to the corner and the size and strength to run over players. Watkins said Cunningham’s progression played a big part in the team buying into the team-first concept he stressed. Watkins said the ability of seniors like Cunningham to epitomize that mind-set was an integral part of the history-making season. He hopes it will continue next season.
“Last year, making the playoffs was one step,” Watkins said. “This year, taking it further and winning district and not being satisfied with that and winning a playoff game with a team concept makes the expectations for next year even higher. That is what we have been trying to get here the past two or three years, having an attitude that it is not just another football season, that we are one of the teams that can be one of the top teams in the state.
“I think next year’s team will go into next season with that attitude.”
Cunningham won’t be around to see those younger players develop and assume the role he played this season. His goal is to use that highlight tape to find a place to play in college. He isn’t sure where that will be, but he hopes coaches will like what they see and want to see even more clips of him in action. That way he can point them to Watkins’ Hudl account or he can slip in some more plays in which he blocked and proved he can be an all-around player who is comfortable in a team-first setting.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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