My Kennedy-Pacifica blog in its entirety…

The Battle of Little Saigon

I really didn’t think I’d cover four games this season at Bolsa Grande High. But hey, we got a league title on the line between Kennedy and Pacifica. It’s good to be here.

We just got threw the National Anthem and the Pacifica marching band did well. Fryer wasn’t too bad either on air cymbals.

I think he’s in the mood because he just saw Bruce Springsteen the other day. I feel like half the people I know just saw Springsteen the other day. 

“For people of our age group, its the greatest show on earth,” he says. Yeah, Fryer and I are in different age groups. The best performance for my age group is probably the Roots. And as far as individual performers go, I’d say Talib Kweli…WHO’s PERFORMING TONIGHT AT USC!!! I can’t wait. Lyrics are gonna be sticking to my rib.

OK, we’re kicking off…

And the punt was partially kicked

Pacifica was on the verge of going three and out…until it went back in. The Mariners tried for a punt, which was partially blocked (and kicked) and somehow Kennedy fumbled it back. I’m not really buying it. Then again, I’m sitting about 50 yards from the play. So what do I know?

A personal foul and a few runs by RB Josh Brannon has the Mariners in the red zone. Kennedy is beating itself right now.

I guess it doesn’t matter when the Fighting Irish block the field goal attempt, too.

Ken 0, Pac 0

Late 1Q

Everything Man

Right now Fryer is pumping out features and doing play by play and putting up with me. I have to hand it to him. But until I see a video camera and binoculars (and Hawaiian shirt), he’s no Dan Albano.

Kennedy, meanwhile has gone three and out. I think these teams are going to need a few drives, maybe the first half, to feel each other out. Most look at what pacifica has done on offense and probbaly expect points will be abundant. But the Fighting Irish has just a good a defense as the Mariners’ offense. Kennedy has just been overlooked becasue of the losses early in the season.

Ken 0, Pac 0

End of 1Q

It’s about who strikes hardest, not who strikes first

Huizar to Ortiz, touchdown Pacifica. I had to ask Fryer if the Mariners’ QB was Raphael or Raymond. “Raymond’s the QB,” he says. Oh yeah, I get confused, Raphael is the Ninja Turtle.

Sorry about that last sentence.

Ken 0, Pac 7

Mid 2Q

Fryer busts out the binoculars

At least Kennedy is punting well. It is not moving well on offense. We’re sitting behind the Fighting Irish sideline and there’s not a lot of life right now. What’s going on?

Fryer has finished his feature and is in full Albano mode as he stares thru binoculars. But he’s having a hard time getting in touch with our editor. ”I keep calling his phone and it rings and rings. He’s probably on the other line.” I told him he probably knows you’re calling. Is that comment less funny now that I’m basically telling it twice by including it here. Or was it just lame to begin with?

Ken 0, Pac 7

Late 2Q

Can I get some Ranch with those nachos?

Raphael Huizar has been masterful on this drive. I guess. I’ve come to realize using the word masterful grabs people’s attention. But Huizar bas been good, nonetheless. He scrambled to avoid a big loss and completed a first down to Tyler Ortiz, the second best receiver I’ve seen this season behind Mater Dei’s Robbie Boyer. (I’m intentionally excluding Servite’s D.J. Shoemate because I have no idea what he is.)

Huizar completes another first down to Seth Trader and the Mariners are inside the Kennedy 10. This is all somewhat surprising.

Ortiz, as he is apt to do, takes a direct snap, fakes like he’s going to throw, and heads to the corner of the end zone, barely crossing the goal line. I’ve seen him do this before. Hasn’t Kennedy?  “They must not read our paper,” Fryer says.

But neither do I.

If youre going to eat nachos, you might as well chase them down with shots of Ranch dressing. That’s how healthy that is.

And with that, Kennedy tries to muster a final drive before the half, but it throws an interception.

Ken 0, Pac 14

Halftime

A change gon’ come?

Kennedy returns the second half kickoff past midfield. Maybe we’re in business. Maybe. The Fighting Irish have yet to put together a long drive.

Kennedy fails a fourth-down conversion. Oh well.

More Brannon and Ortiz moves Pacifica right down the field again. Another Mariners touchdown puts this one away.

It’s fourth and 1 from the 3…Kennedy holds em. Now it has to score.

Ken 0, Pac 14

Late 3Q

Tyler Ortiz is all-county

Kennedy fumbles two plays later. It’s recovered by Raphael Huizar, who’s been in a lot of tackles tonight. I hope that Ninja Turtle comment doesn’t come back to me. Again, a Pacifica TD puts this one away.

Kennedy holds em again inside its own 5 and Pacifica makes a short field goal.

Pacifica attempts an onside kick–genius!–and recovers! But apparently it didn’t go far enough. Kennedy recovers a squib kick the second time.

I keep trying to publish this entry but Ortiz won’t let me. He just intercepted a Kennedy pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown. Crazy.

Ken 0, Pac 24

End of 3Q

Zach with an H

The Fighting Irish have finally scored. As I write that I almost feel like I’m talking about Notre Dame. I’m definitely not, tho. The boys from La Palma are much better than the ones from South Bend.

Tony Nunez caught a 16-yard pass from Zach Emde for the score. I can’t believe I’m writing these names for the first time. It’s been that kind of night for the Fighting Irish.

Ken 6, Pac 24

Mid 4Q

Pacifica ruined this party

For some reason I keep singing that tune ”Every party has a pooper, that’s why we invited you, GEORGE BANKS!!!” from Father of the Bride (Part I or II–I’m not sure and it really doesn’t matter).

And Pacifica kicks another field goal via Trader. It’s over.

Ken 6, Pac 27

Late 4Q

Fryer is out and so am I

Pacifica misses an irrelevant field goal attempt with less than two minutes remaining. And Kennedy adds a late touchdown and two-point conversion (Sorry, I did not see who scored it.)

I have to tell you, this result is surprising. But maybe it shouldn’t have been. I had yet to see Kennedy play this season and I had seen Pacifica, who was awesome in a 43-42 victory against then-unbeaten Troy. Also, a year ago Pacifica humbled Kennedy in a victory by nearly the same score.

All this does is shake up an already interesting and competitive Empire League.

See y’all tomorrow.

Ken 14, Pac 27

Final

Adam Maya/the new and “untouchable” OCVarsity

amaya@ocregister.com

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