Sabol Does Job on Offense as Kennedy Beats Century

Fortunately for Kennedy, it remembered to bring Garrett Sabol.

Sabol, the Empire League’s defensive player of the year last season, made the difference on offense as 10th-ranked Kennedy escaped with a 26-12 victory over Century in the league opener Friday night at Santa Ana Stadium.

Sabol caught two first-half touchdown passes and finished with seven receptions for 166 yards, but his biggest effort came late in the fourth quarter after the Centurions had pulled within seven after a 10-minute drive.

The Fighting Irish (5-1, 1-0) had taken over at the 50 when Century’s on-side kick went out of bounds with two minutes remaining. Sabol, who had switched to tailback in the second half, then carried the ball five consecutive times and he sealed the victory with a four-yard touchdown run with 43 seconds left.

Century (1-5, 0-1) had stayed close with help from running back Ramiro Carasa, who rushed for 117 yards in 30 carries and a touchdown, and a big defensive play midway through the third quarter.

With Kennedy leading, 13-0, the Century defense forced a fumble by quarterback Tom Haas, and linebacker Hector Moreno picked it up at the Kennedy 25 and ran untouched for the score.

Kennedy answered late in the third quarter when Haas, who completed 14 of 26 passes for 259 yards, hit Jack Tucker on a 40-yard touchdown pass.