Nearly 30 years in the making, Kennedy-Richmond captured its first league title since 1988 on Friday night, rolling past De Anza, 31-6. The Eagles and the Dons had been tied for the lead, and Kennedy now has victories over both De Anza and Hercules, the two teams trailing the Eagles in the standings with one week to play.
“Our defense was just incredible all night long,” said Kennedy coach George Jackson. “They played their hearts out again, just like all season.”
Junior quarterback Micah Barnes also had a big game for the Eagles, throwing for 126 yards and three touchdowns, completing scoring passes to Tre’vante Daniels, John Howard, and Larry Washington, Jr. Howard and Washington each had interceptions on the defensive side of the ball.
And speaking of defense, this time it was Devin Holmes with a monster game. Holmes registered three sacks, and had one of the biggest plays of the game, returning a fumble for a touchdown. Meanwhile, section sack leader Ryan Robinson blocked a punt, part of a strong special teams effort for the Eagles, who also received a 36-yard field goal from Antonio Gamez.
“We had great leadership from the entire team, and played with great passion, out to prove something,” Jackson said. “We’ve proven ourselves week to week.”
Of course, the Eagles still have their regular season finale this week against cross-town rival Richmond, and Kennedy is not overlooking its final game before the playoffs.
“We’re just going to stick to our motto,” Jackson said. “One game at a time.”
Northgate 20 Alhambra 19
Northgate is making a habit out of these last-minute victories, following up last week’s thrilling win against Berean Christian with a come-from-behind win over Alhambra.
Trailing 19-14 late in the fourth quarter, the Broncos could not convert on fourth down at the Alhambra 24-yard line, giving the ball back to the Bulldogs with three minutes remaining. The Northgate defense came up big, however, forcing Alhambra to punt the ball, and the Broncos regained possession at the Alhambra 47-yard line with less than two minutes to go in the game.
With only seconds remaining, quarterback Mark Shaffer hit Chris Moser for the 21-yard touchdown, lifting Northgate to another big win in DAL-Foothill action, and lifting the Broncos into a three-way tie for the league lead with College Park and Berean Christian.
Miramonte 42 Concord 34
Senior quarterback Tim Tague threw for 258 yards and four touchdowns as the Matadors overcame the Minutemen by scoring 20 unanswered points in the second half. Concord had led 34-22 at the end of two quarters.
Junior receiver Ethan Fischler had a huge game, with six catches for 163 yards, off-setting a tremendous first half performance by Concord’s Joey Agostino, who finished the game with seven catches for 140 yards.
Miramonte improved to 2-2 in DAL-Valley play, in third place behind Clayton Valley and Campolindo, while Concord suffered its third straight loss in league action.
Antioch 43 Heritage 6
The Panthers scored the first 22 points of the game, setting up a showdown for second-place in the BVAL next weekend against rival Pittsburg.
Najee Harris’ 10-yard scoring run, four minutes into the game, got things started for Antioch, and a few minutes later, Willem Karnthong hit Jamir Wilson for a 64-yard score. Wilson added a four-yard scoring run before the end of the first quarter.
Antoine Tanner and Harris added rushing touchdowns in the second quarter, as the Panthers led 36-6 at halftime and cruised to the victory.
Nick Zell hit Tyrese Mack for Heritage’s only score of the game.
Campolindo 42 Acalanes 7
Branden Bocobo ran for three touchdowns, and Jacob Westphal hit Vincent Mossotti for two long scores through the air, as the Cougars improved to 4-0 in DAL-Valley action with a one-sided win over the Dons.
Campo led 42-0 at the end of three quarters, before Acalanes picked up its lone score in the fourth quarter, on a 60-yard run by Matt Burns.
Campolindo plays at Clayton Valley next week for the DAL-Valley title.
