Rummel senior Carlin Kinchen discovered during his first season as a varsity starter two years ago the importance of being a strong communicator.

He was a sophomore thrust into a starting role when another player tore an ACL while playing basketball. That put Kinchen on the field with some unfamiliar teammates.

“Having to learn every play, having to help my teammates and communicating with guys I never been on the field with, it was all a big scramble for me,” Kinchen said.

The challenging early experience helped build Kinchen into a vocal and dependable leader for the Rummel defense as the 11th-seeded Raiders (6-4) prepare to face No. 22 Holy Cross (4-6) in a first-round LHSAA Division I select playoff game set for 7 p.m. Friday at The Shrine on Airline.

Kinchen played a hybrid outsid

See Full Page