Kenston Forest School’s varsity football team sustained a 55-38 loss Friday night to host Greenbrier Christian Academy, but the game represented a major step forward for a Kavaliers team that has been plagued by injury.

“I was proud of the boys,” Kenston Forest Head Coach Tom Inge said. “They really played well.”

He noted the Kavs had some players restored to health and therefore back in the lineup, most notably starting quarterback Moewuante Morrison.

Back to 100 percent is offensive standout Jah’Tavious Houston, who ran for 308 yards and five touchdowns on 12 carries in a game earlier this season.

Morrison and Houston found the end zone Friday night, as did the coach’s son, Thomas Inge, who usually plays on the line. Trey Lewis returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

The loss dropped Kenston Forest to 1-5 on the season, but Coach Inge helped put things in perspective outside of simply the injuries that have afflicted the team.

“We have a really young team,” he said. “ Our main playmakers are ninth- and 10th-graders …”

But with the team restored to health, the coach likes how things are trending for the Kavs.

“We had a really good ballgame this last ballgame, got some good practices (in),” Inge said. “I really think we’re playing well, so I’m proud of the boys for coming together. It’s taken a few games, though.”

He noted that injuries and lack of experience were two things his players fought through in the early part of the season, but they are now in a better position on both of those fronts.

“I think everything’s coming together now,” he said.

Kenston Forest has two regular season games left and then at least one playoff game.

The eight-man football team format the Kavaliers now play in is in its relative infancy in Virginia, so regions have not yet been established. Inge said the Virginia High School League is set to manage it in the future, but as for now, every eight-man team in the state makes the playoffs to compete for a state championship.

Kenston Forest visits St. Anne’s-Belfield School on Friday at 7 p.m. The Kavs faced the Saints earlier this season at home and fell 42-6, but Inge’s crew is much healthier this time around.

“We’re very confident,” he said. “We know we’re going to have a good game, and they’re a tough team.”