PREP EXTRA / SATURDAY FOOTBALL PULLOUT : Kennedy Ground Game Overruns Katella

ANAHEIM — Kennedy’s rushing offense took complete control and ran over visiting Katella, 27-7, in an Empire League opener at Western High.

The Fighting Irish running game, led by Charlie Marino’s 128 yards in 20 carries, had 287 rushing yards to Katella’s 98.

The running trio of Marino, fullback Darin Martineau (79 yards, 12 carries) and quarterback Jason Myles (71 yards, seven carries) were the only offensive weapons Kennedy (5-1, 1-0) needed.

The Irish jumped to a 6-0 lead on their opening drive. Martineau ran in from one yard to complete an 11-play, 64-yard drive.

After a 10-play drive stalled for Katella (0-6, 0-1), Kennedy answered with a 12-play, 84-yard drive that took nearly five minutes. A one-yard touchdown run by Marino made it 12-0.

Kennedy did have some success in the air. Myles completed nine of 11 passes for 79 yards, including a five-yard touchdown pass to Martineau. Marino ran in for the two-point conversion, making the score 20-0 at the half.

After a scoreless third quarter, Kennedy made it 27-0 with a 28-yard touchdown run my Marino, his longest run of the game, on the first play of the fourth quarter. Kennedy kept it on the ground for the entire second half, attempting no passes.

Katella managed to get on the board in the fourth, sustaining a long drive of its own. Dan Schmidt capped a 14-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run, to make it 27-7.

It was too late for the Knights, who managed only 72 total yards in the first half to Kennedy’s 252.

Kennedy entered the game ranked sixth in the Division V polls and stretched its streak of consecutive league victories to 12.