Big plays help Cleveland football top Kennedy
GRANADA HILLS — The Cleveland High football team relied on big plays to overcome their own mistakes when they traveled to Kennedy High on Friday night. Their big play capability delivered them to a season-opening win, 49-27, over the host Cougars.
“The defense had some key plays,” said Cleveland coach Peter Gunny. “A fumble, a scoop and score, the pick six by Kory (Hall) and another pick that we took down to the 3-yard line. Offensively though we have to score more points and keep drives going on third down but happy to get out with the win today.”
After fumbling their first snap and nearly turning the ball over on the first play of the season, the Cavaliers didn’t need to take long to unleash one of those big plays.
Senior running back Donovan Powell looked like he was in for a big night from the first time he touched the ball. On the second play of the game he used some nifty footwork to slip past Kennedy’s defense, allowing him to go 59 yards for a score.
“He’s good. If they double team me, we’ll give it to Donny and let Donny do what he do,” said Cleveland receiver Kory Hall. “He’s fast, shifty and he’s not scared of contact.”
Powell, who wreaked havoc against Kennedy a year ago while scoring a pair of touchdowns in that win, may have been even better this time around. He finished with three touchdowns, piling up 127 rushing yards on just 11 carries. He also pulled in an impressive one-handed 28-yard grab to set up another Cavaliers score.
“He established the run,” said Gunny. “Then they’ve got to bring more people in the box, and it opens things up for guys like Kory and some of the other wide receivers.
The Colorado State bound Hall also found his way to the end zone three times in the win despite none of them coming as a receiver.
The senior star took an end around in from 14 yards out for his first score. His second one came on the heels of a pair of his own penalties that had helped push the Cougars all the way to Cavaliers 10-yard line. He scooped a loose fumble and returned it 90 yards the other way.
“He’s a four-year varsity player and starter,” said Gunny. “It took a lot of growing up from the kind of face adversity and to understand you’re going to through those tribulations. You’re going to make mistakes. If you start to let that affect your play, it’s going to put your team in a negative position.”
Hall also added a 30-yard interception return for a score.
I’ve been playing both sides of the ball since I was a little kid,” said Hall. “Our defense did everything they were supposed to and set me up to make plays. Give all credit to our defense.”
Marcello Aguilar threw a touchdown to Shawn Talema in the win.
Diego Montes ran for a score and passed for one in defeat for Kennedy.