Kennedy Easily Boots Pacifica From the List of Contenders

Pacifica had hopes of creating a four-way tie for first place in the Garden Grove League. But Kennedy quarterback Chris Clark and Pacifica’s four turnovers made sure there were no pretenders left in the race after Friday night.

Clark ran for a touchdown, kicked two field goals and three extra points to lead Kennedy to an easy 33-13 victory over Pacifica at Bolsa Grande High.

Kennedy’s victory kept the Fighting Irish (6-1, 4-0) atop the Garden Grove League. Pacifica fell to (3-4, 2-2). Kennedy leads Rancho Alamitos and Los Amigos by a game heading into its showdown Friday with Rancho Alamitos.

Pacifica Coach Bill Craven could only shake his head regarding what might have been.

“Turnovers and that quarterback killed us,” Craven said. “He scampered around there all night and we could never contain him. He made things happen for them all night.”

Clark rushed for only 30 yards on five carries, but he was dangerous when he left the pocket. He completed seven of 14 passes for 120 yards, most of them came while he was sprinting out.

“The guy is a great athlete,” Kennedy Coach Mitch Olson said. “Most of the plays he made were on his own. It’s nice when you have something like that that’s tough to defend. As a coach you don’t have to do anything.”

When Clark wasn’t creating headaches for Pacifica, running backs Charlie Marino and Darrin Martineau were. Marino ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns in 18 carries. Martineau had 62 yards and a touchdown in nine rushes.

“Our line had a great game,” Clark said. “They made things easy.”

They were made even easier by Pacifica’s generosity. Kennedy led 9-7 with two minutes left in the half until Pacifica started turning the ball over.

Pacifica cornerback Jeff DePippo intercepted a Clark pass, but he fumbled at midfield on the return. Martineau recovered the ball and four plays later, Clark scampered 13 yards around left end to make it 16-7 with 59 seconds left.

DePippo’s pass was intercepted by Kennedy’s Howard Thomas on Pacifica’s next play from scrimmage. Clark set up his 29-yard field goal just before halftime by finding Marino roaming free in the secondary for 28 yards.

Pacifica’s chances for a second-half comeback ended when Damien Cook (17 carries, 101 yards and a touchdown) fumbled on Pacifica’s first possession.