CHAPEL HILL - West Montgomery forced Warsaw Kenan to play at a slower-than-normal pace and gave the Tigers their first deficit of the season, but it wasn't enough to deny James Kenan its first state team championship in any sport.

The Tigers completed a perfect 16-0 season with a 13-6 triumph in the 1-AA title game over the Warriors on Saturday night at UNC's Kenan Stadium.

"They had us on the ropes the whole second half, it felt like," said James Kenan coach Ken Avent Jr. "But the defense played awesome the entire game and gave us a chance."

West Montgomery (13-3) took advantage of a fumble recovery by Andrew Lambert late in the third quarter, scoring on a 36-yard pass from Josh Hurley to Dominique Drake. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but West led 6-5 with 3:24 left in the period.

It was the first time Kenan had trailed all season.

"Defensively, we just don't quit," Kenan's Jamar Rogers said. "We knew we'd have to put ourselves to the test when it mattered in the playoffs."

Kenan quarterback Shawn Jones, who was named the game's MVP after going 11-for-19 for 202 yards, hit Kendal Jones on a 38-yard pass to the Warriors' 3-yard line. Brandon Satchell went in from 3 yards out on the next play and Alex Monk pulled in the two-point conversion pass for a 13-6 advantage with 7:28 to play.

"Tonight was the most we've thrown it in two years," Avent said. "We've worked on it hard and Shawn has improved a lot. We knew at some point this season we'd have to throw it. We were able to do it tonight."