Kennedy Flattens Pacifica

Kennedy Coach Mitch Olson didn’t gloat, although he could have after his Fighting Irish handled Pacifica, 42-14, in nonleague football Thursday at Garden Grove High.

Olson hardly smiled when he spoke of quarterback Geoff Etherson, who passed for 275 yards and three touchdowns, or wide receiver Rhema McKnight, who caught four passes for 189 yards that included scoring plays of 89 and 66 yards.

Olson’s lack of emotion came partly because it’s early in the season and partly because he was aware of the tremendous advantage his team had because Pacifica was without Coach Bill Craven, who missed the game because of illness.

“It would be a seven-point game if we played them tomorrow,” Olson said. “They were really flat. We said before the game that this is not the normal Pacifica team. We hit them on a lucky night.”

Pacifica (1-2) trailed at the half, 21-7, but came back out with plenty of emotion, that only increased when the defense recorded a sack on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter.

But on second down and 19, Etherson threw a quick pass to McKnight, who was sliding along the line of scrimmage. After catching the pass, McKnight slipped behind a couple of blocks and dashed into the middle of the field, which was devoid of defenders, and raced to the end zone.

The two connected again with 8 minutes 55 seconds left in the third quarter to give Kennedy a 35-7 lead. McKnight took advantage of single coverage on third down and Etherson threw a strong pass that McKnight ran under on his way to an 89-yard scoring play.

“He’s a heck of an athlete,” Etherson said of McKnight, “and we just try to get him the ball whenever we can.”

Kennedy’s Kelvin Beatty added an 88-yard touchdown run and finished with 145 yards. But the game’s top rusher was Pacifica’s Javon Smith who had 229 yards and a touchdown in 29 carries.

Alex Vasquez, a Kennedy wide receiver, caught a touchdown pass, threw another on an option play and kicked four extra points.