An earful:You can bet Kennedy High wide...

An earful:You can bet Kennedy High wide receiver David Burney received an earful after his penalty for wearing illegal jewelry likely cost the Golden Cougars a victory over Marshall on Friday.

With the score tied, 27-27, late in the fourth quarter and Kennedy facing a fourth down at the Marshall five-yard line, the Golden Cougars called time to prepare for a chip-shot field goal.

Burney took his helmet off to take a drink of water, revealing an earring in his pierced ear.

The Golden Cougars were penalized 15 yards and never got off a kick after a bad snap. Marshall marched down the field for a touchdown and a 34-27 victory.

“It was horrible timing but it’s in the rule book,” Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said. “We’re going to have to reemphasize what we can and can’t wear. I should have double-checked on the bus going over but I didn’t.”

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One that got away: Until last week, Kennedy kicker Ramiro Esqueda was perfect in field-goal attempts since he joined the varsity midway through his sophomore year.

But he missed a 30-yard kick in the loss to Marshall, ending his streak at 11.

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Growing pains: Valencia running back Manuel White has rushed for 468 yards in two games, which puts the 6-foot-2, 200-pound sophomore third in the area behind Justin Fargas of Notre Dame (529 yards) and Vinny Walker of Monroe (487).

But Coach Brian Stiman is reluctant to sing his praises.

“I still don’t know how good he is,” Stiman said.

Stiman is mostly concerned with White’s age, 15.

“He’s still a sophomore,” Stiman said. “He’s going to have good games and he’s going to have bad games. I just want him to be able to grow no matter what the situation.”

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Hurts so good: Canyon football Coach Larry Mohr is feeling fortunate that nobody on his team has suffered a serious injury in the Cowboys’ 2-0 start.

But Mohr, ever the perfectionist, was concerned about a different kind of injury.

“The defense’s pride is hurt,” Mohr said. “Fundamentally we didn’t feel they were real sound.”