Banning Does a Bang-Up Job on Kennedy, 18-0

Big and beefy Banning High, ranked No. 1 in the City Section by The Times and No. 5 in the nation by USA Today, whipped a Valley team for the 22nd straight time on Friday, blanking Kennedy, 18-0, at Gardena High.

Kennedy has been the victim five times, including twice last season.

“Maybe they should make a 5-A for us,” Banning Coach Chris Ferragamo said. In its annual foray through the 4-A playoffs, Banning has advanced to the championship game 10 times in the past 11 seasons.

Although Kennedy (1-3) stayed tough behind a defense that has allowed only 404 yards in four games, Banning (4-0) has possibly its best team ever.

“I have to brag about these kids because they are braggable,” Ferragamo said. “They are the toughest, smartest, the best I’ve had. They understand the strategy behind every play.”

One player who won’t be doing much bragging about this game is Kennedy long snapper Albert Richardson, who snapped twice over the head of punter Craig Flack into the end zone for safeties.

The second safety came late in the third quarter and put Banning ahead, 11-0. A 34-yard fourth-quarter bomb from Ed Kapu to Marvin Pollard accounted for Banning’s last score.

Kennedy Coach Bob Francola was pleased that his team remained as close to the high-flying Pilots as it did.

“The kids got tired of reading in the paper that they were the clowns of the Valley,” Francola said. “Tonight I think we played great football. I’ve never been as proud of them as I am tonight.”

Kennedy allowed Banning just 51 yards rushing but the Golden Cougars could muster only 59 total yards. The Pilots, who defeated Long Beach Poly, 35-0, last week, began sluggishly. “We had very poor practices Monday and Tuesday,” Ferragamo said. “We have a tendency to get a big head.”

Kennedy mistakes gave Banning all of its nine points before halftime. LaTrell Edgar fumbled a snap on the Kennedy 19-yard line midway through the first quarter to give the Pilots great field position. Jeff Newman replaced Edgar on Kennedy’s next possession.

Banning scored three plays after the fumble on a 7-yard run by fullback Malili Fuamatu. On Kennedy’s next possession, a punt snap sailed into the end zone for the first safety and Banning led, 9-0.

Banning tailback Archie Jean, the team’s leading rusher, injured a knee on a four-yard run that set up the touchdown and did not return. Kennedy tailback Edwin Jones injured his neck in the third quarter and quarterback Newman had his neck twisted like a bottle cap when McCann Utu grabbed him by the face mask on a fourth-quarter sack. Both are questionable for next week’s cross-town clash with Granada Hills.

The Pilots were penalized 12 times for 105 yards, two of which erased substantial gains. The combination of Kennedy turnovers and Banning penalties made the second and third quarters a tug-of-war around the 50.

Kennedy’s farthest drives of the game--30 and 23 yards--both ended in interceptions. Banning pilfered four Kennedy passes altogether.

Banning quarterback Ed Kapu had not been sacked all season, and Kennedy nailed him three times for 30 yards in the first half. Andre Murray recorded two of the sacks.