El Dorado’s Defense Shuts Down Kennedy, 17-0

The return of quarterback Mark Cook to Kennedy’s lineup figured to provide the spark his team needed to beat El Dorado.

Cook did provide a spark, but El Dorado’s defense provided a dousing. Holding Kennedy to 17 yards rushing and 143 passing, El Dorado won, 17-0, Thursday at Western High. The Golden Hawks (5-3, 2-1) are trying to win a share of their third consecutive Empire League title.

Cook had missed the last 2 1/2 games with a knee injury and in his absence, Kennedy’s offense managed just 16 points. Kennedy Coach Mitch Olson said this week that the way his team’s defense was playing, he would be happy “to score two touchdowns, maybe get a field goal” and go home a winner.

Instead, El Dorado matched Kennedy (5-3, 1-2) big play for big play on the defensive side, then did the Fighting Irish one better.

Tim Fairfield recovered Cedeno Wyatt’s fumble at Kennedy’s 37-yard line, setting the stage for a nine-play drive that ended with Fairfield scoring from the one with 10 minutes 20 seconds remaining. Fairfield later had an interception.

Brian Zurhellen’s point-after gave El Dorado a 10-0 lead, and the way the Golden Hawk defense was playing, that was plenty.

But the play showed the kind of defensive struggle it was. Fairfield was stacked at the line of scrimmage on fourth and goal, but quarterback Mitch Nord put his shoulder into Fairfield’s back and helped him surge forward. It took about 10 seconds for officials to rule Fairfield had scored.

“Not to brag or anything, but I don’t know if he would have made it without me,” Nord said. “That was the turning point--10 points with our defense playing well.”

Kennedy responded as Cook passed deep to an open Jaiya Howze, but Bryce Nebeker appeared from nowhere to knock the pass away and save what may have been a touchdown. Kennedy punted, and El Dorado drove 68 yards. Jason Vermilyer (17 carries, 146 yards) had carries of 24, 18 and 10 yards, and Nick Zehner scored from the one to make it 17-0.

Cook completed 10 of 16 passes (one interception) and rushed three times for 20 yards.

El Dorado held a 3-0 halftime lead on Zurhellen’s 26-yard field goal. Both teams made big defensive plays.

A sack by Kennedy’s Steve Mao at the 17 forced Zurhellen to kick a failed 34-yard field-goal attempt on the game’s first series. Elwin Maradiago saved a touchdown with his fourth interception of the season, with 1:19 left in the half, at the five after El Dorado reached the 16.

El Dorado’s defense was just as impressive in the first half. Fairfield’s interception at the five ended a drive to the 13-yard-line. Dan Hancock, Matt McConnell and Danny Pierro stopped Wyatt on a fourth-and-one attempt at the 21 to end another.