HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : On an Off Night, Kennedy Wings to 48-25 Victory Over Franklin

Kennedy High’s City Section 4-A Division quarterfinal football game against Franklin on Wednesday night resembled the Twilight Zone to the undefeated Golden Cougars--but with a twist.

Instead of relying on the between-the-tackles running of Antwane Smith and the steady play of its defense, Kennedy rode the arm of quarterback Calvin Zinck to offset a subpar defensive game in a 48-25 victory.

Third-seeded Kennedy (12-0) will play second-seeded Dorsey (11-1) in a semifinal on Dec. 1 at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Kennedy came into Wednesday’s game allowing only 168.1 yards a game.

But the Panthers’ wide-open attack accounted for 469 yards, including 291 yards passing by Alec Adame.

Smith started strong with 39 yards--including a one-yard touchdown run--on the Golden Cougars’ first drive. But a stacked line stuffed Smith for most of the game.

That left Zinck, a junior quarterback who has improved steadily since completing only two passes in Kennedy’s opener against Quartz Hill. Against the Panthers, Zinck completed 13 of 16 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns.

“This was his first chance to shine,” Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said. “Looking back, I think we were a little too conservative against Garfield [Kennedy’s first-round opponent]. He’s been working hard the whole season improving.”

Zinck spread his attention among several receivers. Aaron Lewis caught five passes for 81 yards, including a 42-yard bomb in the third quarter.

Tight end Jason Ascencio caught four passes for 45 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown early in the third quarter that put Kennedy ahead for good, 21-17.

Although the defense struggled, Kennedy came up with several stops in key situations. The biggest came early in the fourth quarter.

Trailing, 28-17, Franklin (10-2) drove to the Kennedy 13-yard line. But cornerback Karalus Doyle picked off a sideline pass and raced 91 yards for a touchdown.

“I could tell when he threw the ball that I had a good jump on it,” Doyle said. “Once I got it, I knew I was going all the way.”

Doyle made another big play earlier in the half that killed a Franklin drive. Fullback Oscar Serrano gained 20 yards deep into Kennedy territory when he was stripped from behind by linebacker Damion Thompson. Doyle fell on the loose ball.

“Those are the kind of plays a Division I defensive back has to make,” Francola said.

Once Zinck established the pass as a viable weapon for Kennedy, Smith was able to rip through the Panthers in the fourth quarter, scoring on runs of 33 and two yards. Smith finished with 146 yards in 23 carries, including 99 yards in the fourth quarter.

Adame completed 20 of 34 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Serrano finished with 121 yards in 16 carries. Tailback Oscar Canela caught six passes for 83 yards and a 33-yard second-quarter touchdown.