Kennedy’s Defense Does a Number on Century

Kennedy held Century to 180 yards of total offense and recovered two fumbles on its way to a 28-0 victory in an Empire League game Friday at Western High.

The Fighting Irish (5-3, 2-1 in league) limited Century running back Fortino Rivera to 93 yards rushing in 22 carries. Rivera entered the game seventh in the county with 1,089 yards in his first seven games.

Kennedy’s special teams got the Irish on the scoreboard when four players broke through the Century (2-6, 0-3) line and blocked a first-quarter punt. Tim Reed returned the ball 13 yards for a touchdown.

Kennedy quarterback Geoff Etherson then connected with Steve Yaden on a 59-yard pass play to put Kennedy ahead 14-0 only seven minutes into the game.

Facing a fourth-and-24 at the Century 43 with 12 seconds left in the half, Etherson lateraled to Yaden, who threw deep into triple coverage. Jaiya Howze jumped over the defenders and came down with the ball in the end zone.

Kennedy scored again halfway through the third quarter, when Kelvin Beatty scored from the one.