HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROUNDUP : Zinck Shows He Has the Mettle for Kennedy

Calvin Zinck’s first start at quarterback for Kennedy High last week was one he’d like to forget.

Although the Golden Cougars won, Zinck was ineffective, completing just two of seven passes.

Thursday night against Troy, Zinck made the most of his second chance. Although some of the junior’s passes still weren’t exactly things of beauty, the difference was enormous.

Zinck completed six of 12 for 99 yards to lead Kennedy to a 32-16 victory over the Warriors at Fullerton High. Most important, three of the completions went for touchdowns as Kennedy built a commanding lead.

“I wanted to forget about two for seven,” Zinck said. “I needed this for my confidence. I feel much better.”

Kennedy Coach Bob Francola believed in Zinck. The run-oriented Golden Cougars threw a pass the first play from scrimmage. The pass was incomplete but the message was clear.

“Calvin’s got to work on some things but when he gets it going, he’s got touch and can throw a long way,” Francola said.

Wide receiver Aaron Lewis caught two touchdown passes, including a diving 27-yarder at the end of the first half to give Kennedy a 20-10 lead.

On Kennedy’s first possession of the second half, Zinck hit Waking Bailey on a similar pattern good for 26 yards and a 26-10 lead.

Troy’s Alex Garcia scored on a nine-yard run with just over a minute to play, ending a 13-play drive and cutting the lead to 26-16.

After Bailey recovered an onside kick, Antwane Smith broke off a 51-yard touchdown run to cap the scoring. Smith finished with 154 yards in 20 carries.

Bailey gave Kennedy the lead for good midway through the second quarter with a 93-yard kickoff return following a field goal by Troy’s Mike Arick.

On Troy’s opening possession, the Warriors drove for a touchdown in six plays, helped by a 20-yard run by Larry Montgomery on a third-and-18 play.

Faced with another third-and-long situation, Steve Muther connected with Willy Piguee on a 41-yard touchdown play.

Kennedy answered with a seven-play, 69-yard drive, led by two swing passes by Zinck--one to Smith for a 25-yard gain and a 14-yard touchdown play to Lewis.

The Golden Cougar defense held Troy’s misdirection offense to 200 yards the rest of the game.

Montgomery had 147 yards in 19 carries before leaving in the fourth quarter with a leg injury.

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Burroughs 34, Bell-Jeff 0--Sophomore Glen Adriatico and junior Ben Criscuolo led a balanced attack for the Indians at Burroughs.

Adriatico had seven receptions for 98 yards, including a 17-yard second-quarter touchdown, and carried twice for 57 yards, once for a 43-yard score.

Criscuolo had three receptions for 25 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown, and connected on field goals of 37 yards in the first quarter and 31 yards in the fourth.

J.K. Scott completed 14 of 24 passes for 150 yards, including the two touchdowns. Mike Barrett carried 18 times for 149 yards and scored on a 27-yard run.

Burroughs, penalized 11 times for 112 yards, had three touchdowns nullified while racking up 344 yards. Bell-Jeff (0-2) made only three first downs.