HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL / CITY SECTION : ROUNDUP : Kickoff Return Fuels Kennedy

Senior running back Elijah Raphael of Kennedy High rushed for 138 yards in 23 carries and Jeremy Deach kicked two field goals, but the key play for the Golden Cougars was supplied by Ronnie Gipson in Friday’s game at Chatsworth.

With Kennedy trailing by four at halftime, Gipson returned the second-half kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown to spark the Golden Cougars to a 27-14 win in the Northwest Valley Conference opener for both teams.

After a first-quarter 28-yard field goal by Deach, Raphael raced 40 yards, giving Kennedy a 10-0 lead in the second quarter.

Chatsworth (2-2, 0-1 in league play) rallied late in the second quarter on touchdown passes of seven and 23 yards from Brian Comer to John Gamm to take a 14-10 lead at the half. The 23-yard touchdown strike came on a fourth-and-10 play.

Comer completed seven of 24 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns and threw two interceptions.

After Gipson returned the kickoff for a score for a 17-14 lead, the Kennedy defense took control. The Golden Cougars (3-1, 1-0) intercepted two passes and limited the Chancellors to 31 yards rushing in the second half.

“We had great field position in the second half of the game, which helped us out a lot,” Raphael said.

Donte Scarbrough added a one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and Deach kicked a 22-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.