High school football: Norths Feamster causes double trouble – Salisbury Post

North Senior KaMahri Feamster

By Mike London
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SPENCER – North Rowan senior KaMahri Feamster was a one-man IHOP on Friday, handing out five free pancakes during a 46-6 win over East Rowan.

A pancake is a block that leaves the defender flat on his back. Blueberries and syrup are optional.

Feamster (6-foot-3, 220 pounds), a returning All-Central Carolina Conference selection, also ruled his territory when North Rowan didn't have the ball, playing two-way as a right offensive tackle and defensive end for North.

Wherever he went, Feamster left a trail of corpses.

“He played outstanding and was our player of the game,” North head coach Josh Sophia said. “When we looked at the film, he dominated on both sides of the ball. In addition to the pancake blocks on offense, he had a sack on defense. He had a great performance, the type of game you expect from a senior.”

The Cavaliers were the favorites, as North usually beats East, but the game should have been more exciting than it actually was. North set the tone early with a stop, followed by an offensive run that saw them get forward – offense and defense were going well from the start – and didn't let it get them rattled.

“Our coaches prepared us well,” Feamster said. “We knew East likes to send the linebackers on defense, so we were prepared for that. On offense, East relies on the quarterback for a lot of RPOs, and we kept him in check. We really wanted to win, so we went out there and did everything we were supposed to do.”

Feamster, an athlete who also plays basketball as a sideline player and track and field thrower for the Cavaliers, has been on the varsity team for years, but this has been the most committed offseason he's ever had.

“I've been running a lot of hills at Dan Nicholas Park, competing with other guys and learning a lot about football through good experiences at camp,” Feamster said. “I lost a lot of weight last spring, but now I'm gaining some of it back. I'd like to get back to 245 or 250 pounds.”

Feamster believes his best defensive move against East was his sack.

“I beat my blocker with a swim stroke inside, jumped at the quarterback's hips and took him to the ground,” Feamster said. “That was a pretty big play because it was fourth down and prevented them from scoring.”

Figuring out his preferred attack move was more difficult because there were so many choices.

“I think it was when we were running an inside zone play and I was blocking the defense,” Feamster said. “My helmet fell off – but we were 10 or 15 yards down the field.”

Feamster has no preference for offense or defense. He likes both. The relatively cool temperatures on Friday helped him play both sides of the ball with ease.

“If I can help my team win by playing both ways, then I'm all in,” he said. “I can do it.”

Without Jaemias Morrow, Khor'on Miller and Amir Alexander, North will look different this season, but that also means it's time for some new players to make their mark.

Feamster could be one of them.

Another player whose role has expanded is Jo Jo Tarver, who has been promoted to primary running back. After Week 1, he is the county's best runner, having rushed for 172 yards.

“We all know Jo Jo is a great athlete, but to see him make cuts and read blocks was incredible,” Feamster said. “It's like he's been out there for three years.”