ANDERSON, Ind. — Highland quarterback Brad Kinred doesn’t intentionally set out to make highlight plays that get immortalized in a photograph.
“It just happens,” said the Scots senior signal caller. “It just goes with the flow.”
Kinred has a knack for being in the right place at the right time when there is a camera around.
Last spring during the baseball sectionals, Kinred was caught on film making a diving one-handed catch in center field during the Scots’ sectional game against Anderson.
Two weeks ago, the diminutive Kinred was scrambling for yardage when he elevated over a Greenfield-Central defender for a play that established the momentum early in the Scots’ favor. Highland went on to win 33-6.
In the semifinal game against Mount Vernon, Kinred recorded some big hits from his defensive back position in the Scots’ 21-20 win in double overtime.
In all three instances, those plays were caught on film and featured in the sports section the next day.
The meeting of preparation and opportunity aside, Highland football coach Randy Albano has a theory.
“The photographer got lucky with the picture,” said Albano. “(Brad’s) just a competitor, that’s the bottom line. Sometimes he loses control, he’s so competitive. The hurdle thing just shows what kind of competitor he is.”
“He goes all out every game, especially in the sectional,” said Scots linebacker Chandler Sidwell, who is also on the baseball team with Kinred.
For Kinred, making plays in which he throws his body all over the field comes down to one simple thing.
“Just the need to win,” said Kinred.
Last season, Highland had Kaleb Ogden starting at quarterback. Ogden checked in at 6-foot-3 and more than 200 pounds. When Ogden graduated and took his game to the University of Indianapolis, Kinred stepped into the starter’s role and Albano revised the Scots’ offense.
“We changed our offense totally from last year. We don’t run the spread much like last year. We’re running a lot of misdirection and option stuff,” said Albano. “He leads by example and he’s one of our biggest hitters on defense. A lot of things he does on the field are positives that get our team going.”
The Scots started hot, winning their first three games.
A 49-41 win over state powerhouse Heritage Christian in Week 3 gave the Scots a look at what they could be capable of. It also turned out to be a case of complacency rearing its ugly head.
Highland would go 3-3 in its final six games before regaining their focus in the sectional, where one-and-done is the law.
“We were really hardnosed the first couple of games. But after that win against Heritage Christian, we got cocky,” said Kinred. “Our seniors have gotten our team back in check and that’s why we’ve been playing good in the postseason.”
High School Sports
Related Photos
-
Aaron Piper
Discussion
Highland's Kindred the picture of intensity
Quarterback thrives where preparation and opportunity meet
- High School Sports
-
-
PH moves on
On the roster of every successful team is a player or two who will do the unpleasant work. The ones who actually find satisfaction in this pursuit are worth their weight in wins to any coach. Pendleton Heights sophomore Kiawna Cottrell was just that player Tuesday as the Arabians advanced to the second round of sectional play with a 55-45 victory over Greenfield-Central.
-
Indians slay Spartans
The last time these two girls basketball teams met on Jan. 17, Anderson defeated Connersville 83-74 in overtime. Lady Tribe coach Chad Cook knew the Spartans would come out with a chip on their shoulder ready for revenge in Tuesday’s opening round of the Class 4A sectional.
-
Eagles eke by Raiders
Back in November, the Frankton girls basketball team handled Shenandoah by 29 points. Tuesday’s sectional opener at Shenandoah wasn’t as easy, but the end result was the same as Frankton moved on with a 44-43 win over the host Shenandoah Raiders.
-
Wapahani ends Lapel’s season
With both teams scrapping for loose balls and rebounds often, the second game of the first-round girls basketball sectional Tuesday night at Shenandoah seemed destined to become a backyard brawl. And as is so often the case, the more experienced team came out on top. A sloppy but hard-fought contest turned into little more than a war of attrition late as finally Lapel ran out of gas, falling to Wapahani 49-33.
-
Madison-Grant survives, advances
Madison-Grant girls basketball coach Kyle Douglas reminded his team before Tuesday’s Class 2A sectional opener that the state tournament marks the beginning of a new season. With 4.6 seconds remaining against Alexandria, Argylls senior Taylor McNutt held the first game of that new season in her hands at the free-throw line. She calmly made her first attempt, and wild scramble for the loose ball erupted when her second try glanced off the rim. The clock expired before either team could gain possession, and Madison-Grant (14-8) escaped with a 58-57 victory and a ticket to Round 2.
-
Daleville bucks Liberty Christian, heads into Class A semifinals
Not much changed in Sectional 55 on Tuesday at Wes-Del as Daleville pressured the Lions into submission on the way to a 51-24 win and the chance to face the host Wes-Del Warriors.
-
Tribe win over Spartans 50 - 46
Photos from the opening round of the Class 4A Sectional at Greenfield-Central on Tuesday.
-
Arabians advance after 55-45 win over Cougars
Photos from the Greenfield-Central sectional as the Pendleton Heights Arabians faced the Cougars.
-
Jim Bailey: Kids play basketball, but some adults prefer basketbrawl
We’ve heard all too much about the failings of today’s youth. Methinks the blame in most cases is misplaced. Like father like son? Perhaps, which reinforces my point.
-
Todd, Blanton grab regional crowns
Pendleton Heights’ Mason Todd and Alexandria’s Luke Blanton won championships in their respective weight classes at Saturday’s Pendleton Heights Wrestling Regional as 15 local competitors survived to wrestle another week.
- More High School Sports Headlines
-
