La Quinta Holds On to Defeat Kennedy

GARDEN GROVE — 

How nerve-wracked was La Quinta High School’s football team Thursday night as it watched Kennedy attempt a fourth-quarter rally?

Consider the La Quinta players on the sidelines, screaming at each other in disgust: “We shoulda killed ‘em! We shoulda had four more touchdowns! You don’t want it enough . . . !”

And the La Quinta coaches, shouting at the players in rapid-fire commands. And don’t forget the La Quinta ball boy, dropping down on one knee, looking up toward the sky while solemnly making the sign of the cross.

All this and more capped La Quinta’s 20-14 Garden Grove League victory over Kennedy at Bolsa Grande High School.

Until the fourth quarter, La Quinta dominated the game, with Trent Julian scoring touchdowns on a 47-yard play pass from Richard Weaver and on a one-yard run, and Matt Logan kicking field goals of 49 and 22 yards to give La Quinta a 20-0.

But after three quarters of lackluster play, Kennedy finally found its groove. After driving to the La Quinta two and fumbling the ball away, Kennedy mad a fumble recovery of its own moments later and then scored on a one-yard run by Vince Church.

Two plays later, Kennedy’s Craig Road intercepted Richard Weaver at midfield and ran the ball back 45 yards for the touchdown. Scott Jones’ kick cut Kennedy’s deficit to 20-14 with 8:52 remaining.

Kennedy didn’t let up, and with a minute to go, started its final drive. On a 24-yard reception from Kennedy quarterback Russ Clark, Church took the Fighting Irish to the 39.

With 46 seconds left, Clark looked for a receiver in the end zone, but he was rushed and the pass was knocked away. With 18 seconds left, Clark was sacked, and on the final play, La Quinta junior safety Don Hopkins intercepted a pass by Clark in the end zone to end the game.