HIGH SCHOOL NOTEBOOK

Kennedy shut out Granada Hills in the second half of the Cougars’ 40-28 victory last week by controlling the ball.

Not having to contend with Joey Rodriguez helped too.

Rodriguez, Granada Hills’ top receiver, had 165 yards on five catches in the first half, including touchdowns of 91 and 43 yards. That kind of production wasn’t unexpected from the big-play senior: He has 17 touchdowns on 63 catches the last two seasons and has averaged 25 yards a catch.

But Rodriguez suffered a concussion early in the third quarter against Kennedy and caught only one pass in the second half for minus-two yards.

When Rodriguez tried to play defense in the fourth quarter, co-Coach Darryl Stroh ordered him to the sideline.

Kennedy benefited from a Granada Hills fumble at the Cougar one-yard line and from a relentless effort by the offensive line to win for the 11th time in 27 meetings with its cross-town rival.

“Joey’s injury hurt us, but there were a lot of factors,” co-Coach Tom Harp said.

Rodriguez will not practice this week, although Harp said he will probably play Friday in a West Valley League opener against Taft.