Dorsey Bounces Kennedy From Playoffs

Kennedy High was living life on the edge from the moment Antwane Smith fumbled the opening kickoff of the Golden Cougars’ City Section 4-A Division semifinal Friday night against Dorsey.

Smith recovered his bobble, then raced 95 yards for a touchdown on the next play, but it was only a matter of time before the ball bounced the other way at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

The Dons used the momentum of a fumbled kickoff by Jaret Harris in the third quarter to score 27 consecutive points in the second half for a 48-19 victory, handing third-seeded Kennedy its first defeat of the season.

Second-seeded Dorsey (12-1) will play San Pedro next Saturday at El Camino College for the 4-A title.

Kennedy (12-1) wasn’t able to stop Dorsey’s fleet of running backs. Dennis Northcutt did the most damage, gaining 144 yards in nine carries, punctuating the victory with a 42-yard touchdown to cap the scoring.

Northcutt also scored on a nine-yard run following Harris’ fumble, giving Dorsey a 35-19 lead midway through the third quarter.

Dorsey also burned Kennedy with the pass. Marrell Hammick completed seven of 11 for 111 yards and three touchdowns.

“We got away with some things in the first half we didn’t get away with later,” Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said. “We got caught twice with the pass.”

After Raymont Skaggs scored on a four-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, Kennedy had one last gasp on offense behind quarterback Calvin Zinck (15 of 27, 277 yards).

Trailing, 41-19, the Golden Cougars drove to the Dorsey four-yard line, but fullback and captain Damion Thompson was called for consecutive unsportsmanlike penalties and was ejected, killing the drive.

It was a far-different outburst of emotion compared to the first half.

On the Golden Cougars’ first play from scrimmage, Smith took the handoff, sprinted up the middle, cut to the outside and raced 95 yards down the sideline for a 6-0 lead 33 seconds into the game.

“I got too excited, that’s why I fumbled,” Smith said. “I made up for it, but it doesn’t feel like it now.”

Dorsey contained Smith for the rest of the game, holding Kennedy’s leading rusher to 16 yards in 13 carries after the touchdown.

The Dons responded with a 72-yard kickoff return by Northcutt. Dorsey drove to the Kennedy 10-yard line when Northcutt fumbled after a short gain.

The ball was picked up by Malcolm Lavender, who carried the ball two yards into the end zone.

Kennedy regained the lead early in the second quarter when Zinck found Aaron Lewis for 33- and 43-yard gains.

Lewis broke three tackles on the second reception and was within inches of slipping to the ground before regaining his balance and running to the one-yard line.

Smith scored three plays later.

Lewis finished with seven receptions for 136 yards.