Bristol's Kendell Cottrell knows how to put on a show when running the football

tom waring

Sat, Oct 14, 2023, 6:20 AM·3 min read

BRISTOL BOROUGH — Kendell Cottrell, as usual, put on a show on Friday night.

Cottrell, a strong 6-foot, 190-pound senior running back, is the franchise player for the Bristol Warriors.

Rival Morrisville came to town, but the Bulldogs could not stop Cottrell. He rushed 32 times for 228 yards and four touchdowns in Bristol’s 41-6 victory.

“The offense did a great job,” he said. “We all worked as a team. I’m real grateful for my teammates.”

After the contest, Cottrell was presented with a game ball for his record-setting night two weeks ago, when he rushed for 422 yards and eight touchdowns against Renaissance Academy.

Cottrell didn’t match those numbers, but was happy to see his defense – he’s a defensive end but did not see action there on Friday – hold Morrisville’s star junior running back, Raymond Holman, to 66 yards on 16 carries.

“All week, everyone was counting Bristol out,” he said. “That motivated me.”

Bristol's #22 Kendell Cottrell has plenty of running room in the third quarter. Bristol defeated Morrisville 41-6 on Friday, October 13, 2023. (MICHAEL APICE)

Bristol beat Morrisville for what it believed to be the 23rd time in a row. The Bulldogs last won in 1998. The teams will meet again on Thanksgiving.

Cottrell said the Warriors have a “family bond.”

“We go to war every week,” he said.

Bristol (4-3 overall, 3-0 Bicentennial Athletic League), which also had scoring runs from Trae Anthony and Cole Guy, has two league games remaining, then will face New Hope-Solebury in the District One Class 2A title game. The Warriors and Lions are the only two 2A schools in District One. A win would probably set up a matchup with West Catholic.

“I think we can go real far in the playoffs,” Cottrell said.

Cottrell, who was in the Homecoming Court, is getting college looks from Temple, New Hampshire, Penn State, Villanova, Rutgers and West Chester.

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Coach Mike Ciotti said Cottrell is deserving of those looks.

“Kendell, each year, has gotten bigger, faster and stronger. He’s just a special player,” he said. “This year, he’s taken on a leadership role. He motivates everybody.”

Ciotti credited linebacker Bryce Bornice with leading the effort to contain the speedy Holman.

Morrisville (4-4, 3-2), which got a touchdown run from Ky’iere Rankins, is in Class A, along with Jenkintown and Renaissance Academy. The Bulldogs handily beat both teams earlier this season.

Game balls

Kendell Cottrell, Bristol, running back. The senior carried 32 times for 228 yards and four touchdowns.
Cole Guy, Bristol, quarterback-defensive back. A sophomore, he ran for a 34-yard touchdown, threw for 88 yards and recorded a sack.
Nuke Beauplan, Bristol, two-way end and kicker. At halftime, he was crowned Homecoming King. He also made five-of-six extra points.

What it means

Morrisville: The Bulldogs' four-game winning streak came to an end. They moved the ball at times, but couldn’t stop Cottrell.

Bristol: The Warriors have won three in a row and are trying to peak for the District One Class 2A playoffs, then a likely regional game. Having Cottrell in the backfield will give them a chance.

Key play

Morrisville was in the game after Ky’iere Rankins ran for a second-quarter touchdown, but the Warriors answered when Cottrell went 20 yards for a score, and the rout was on.