The Kennett Blue Demons started the 2018 season 0-4, but since then they have won four out of five games as they have made great strides under first-year head coach Lance Frazier.

How good has the team been?

Kennett’s last two wins have been shutouts. During those two games, Kennett outscored its opponents by a combined score of 82-0.

The only loss that Kennett has had in the last five weeks was a hard-fought 10-7 game against Unionville.

To put it simply, Kennett has been one of the better teams in the Ches-Mont League since the turnaround began on Sept. 21.

The win over Oxford on Oct. 19 showcased Kennett’s growth on offense and defense. Even before the game started, there was a clear sign that Oxford was going to have a difficult time against the surging Kennett team. When the team captains went out for the start of the contest, Oxford only had one captain who was in uniform and ready to play. Starting quarterback Brett Kochmansky and lineman Sam Blevins were out with injuries.

Also missing from the lineup was Tim Faber, the team’s leading running back, so it was clear that Oxford would have a difficult time duplicating some of its successes this season without having the services of some of its key offensive contributors.

Kennett marched 67 yards on its opening drive, taking a 7-0 lead when standout running back Garrett Cox scored from four yards out.

On the Hornets’ first offensive series, the drive stalled when Oxford couldn’t convert a fourth-and-short play near midfield.

It took Kennett two plays―an 18-yard gain by Cox and a 36-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Forte to receiver Mitch Kosara to score again. Kennett was up 14-0 with 4:55 to play in the first quarter, but the Blue Demons were only getting warmed up.

After the kickoff, Kennett made it 21-0 when Kosara picked off a pass around the 45-yard line and returned it for a touchdown.

Kennett threatened to score again early in the second quarter, but Oxford defensive end Jay Morton recovered a fumble on the 6-yard line. Oxford picked up a couple of first downs on the offensive series that followed, but Kennett’s defense once again forced a punt.

The Kennett offense, meanwhile, continued to be highly effective. With 7:49 left to play in the second quarter, Kennett made it 28-0 after a 25-yard touchdown run by Cox.

A few minutes later, Kennett’s defense turned in another big play, forcing a fumble deep in Oxford territory. Cox scored his third touchdown of the game by rumbling in from four yards out. It was 35-0. Kennett tacked on 10 more points in the second half to finish out the impressive win. Kennett is now 4-5 on the season and could earn a spot in the District 1 playoffs after the Week 10 schedule is completed this coming weekend. Kennett added a game to its schedule for Friday evening, when the team will travel to take on Quakertown High School.

Oxford’s record stands at 5-4 with a home game on Friday night against Bishop Shanahan. The Hornets could earn a playoff berth for the second year in a row when the seeds for the District 1 playoffs are announced.