PREP FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Nicholson, Pacifica Rush Past Kennedy, 21-14

Pacifica High School running back Derrick Nicholson rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns 7to lead the Mariners to a 21-14 Garden Grove League victory over Kennedy at Handel Stadium in Anaheim.

Nicholson, a junior, scored on runs of three and six yards to pace Pacifica. The Mariners 7(2-2, 1-0 in Garden Grove League) attempted only five passes in the game. One of those, a seven-yard touchdown pass from Rich Main to Eric Stevens, gave Pacifica a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Pacifica limited Vince Church, Kennedy’s leading rusher, to 74 yards on the ground. However, Church scored both Kennedy touchdowns on pass receptions of 26 and 73 yards.

The Mariner defense twice stopped Kennedy scoring threats inside the five-yard line in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Ryan Bremer sacked Irish quarterback John Guthrie on fourth and goal at the 1 with 8:41 to play.

Guthrie completed 15 of 20 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns for the Irish (2-2, 0-1).