Annis Passes and Kicks Valencia Past Kennedy

Jason Annis’ touchdown pass and field goal in the second quarter were all Valencia needed to defeat Kennedy, 10-9, in a nonleague game Friday at Valencia High.

Annis opened the second quarter with a 12-yard scoring pass to Ronald Morris, then extended the Tigers’ lead to 10-0 with a 38-yard field goal with four minutes and 28 seconds remaining in the half.

“We played hard over four quarters and played very solid football,” said Coach Mike Marrujo, whose team improved to 1-2-1. “We’ve been close in every game so far, but we haven’t put it all together for four quarters.”

Kennedy (2-2) was held to only 44 total yards in the first half. Fighting Irish quarterback Gabriel Roman completed only one of his first 14 attempts.

Kennedy would drive 62 yards, aided by two Valencia face-mask penalties, before Aron Lewis kicked a 36-yard field goal with 4:17 left in the third quarter.

Neil Hannifin recovered a Morris fumble and returned it seven yards to the Tiger 29. Five plays later, Roman connected with Andre Banks for a 16-yard touchdown pass to bring the Irish within one point with 45 seconds left in the third quarter.

The subsequent conversion attempt failed when Lewis fumbled a pitch from Roman.

Kennedy had one last chance to take the lead, but Roman couldn’t complete any of his passes from the Tiger 21.