GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE : Kennedy Scores Early, Stops Los Amigos

This time, there was no fourth-quarter comeback. Not that Los Amigos didn’t come terribly close.

Kennedy, making good on two first-half touchdowns, scored a 13-9 Garden Grove League victory over the Lobos in a battle between two of the Southern Section’s top Division VII teams Thursday at Garden Grove High.

The Irish (4-1, 2-0 in league) entered ranked No. 7 in the section, and by knocking off the No. 1-ranked team, they not only improved their chances of winning the league title, but probably improved their draw in the section playoffs.

But first things first.

Los Amigos (4-1, 1-1), coming off two consecutive victories in which they trailed in the fourth quarter, again faced a do-or-die situation late in the game. It came with 5 minutes 3 seconds remaining and the ball on its 26. The Lobos then began their most impressive drive of the night. On the strength of Noah Tagatauli’s running and Ape Tuato’s passing, they had a first-and-goal at the Kennedy 10 with 1:13 left. Tagatauli rushed twice for seven yards.

A delay penalty--their second of the drive--moved the Lobos back to the eight. Eighteen seconds remained, and Tuato--who had been four of five on the drive for 42 yards--threw two passes that fell incomplete. The last one sent Kennedy players streaming on to the field as though they had won the league title. Although there are five games remaining, the victory was a big step. “This game was important for us because we played the type of game we’re capable of playing,” Kennedy Coach Mitch Olson said. “We made mistakes, but we hit and blocked the way we expected we could. We knew we could play good football but we hadn’t in four weeks. We came out tonight and hit the way we thought we would all year.”

Both teams pounded on each other. Kennedy rushed for no yards and Chris Clark passed for 145. Los Amigos’ Tagatauli carried 22 times for 144 yards, and the Lobos finished with 245 total yards.

Kennedy never trailed. Its opening drive ended on the one-yard line--it was twice stopped the one--but Randy Ellison recovered a fumble on the Lobos’ first play. On third down, Wes Morris caught a fade pass from Clark for a touchdown, and then Clark added the extra point.

Los Amigos came right back. After being held on downs, the punt was muffed and Tagatauli recovered at the Kennedy 28. The Irish scored on Tagatauli’s one-yard run, but a fake out of the hold on the conversion attempt was squelched.

Kennedy responded in kind with a 65-yard drive, helped by 36 yards in penalties. Charles Marino scored from the one.

Los Amigos’ final score came on a 30-yard field goal by Frank Aceves.