KENNEDY FIGHTING IRISH
Coach: Brit Johnson (seventh year, 27-36)
Last season: 5-5 overall, 3-3 league
Scouting report: The Fighting Irish were a fourth-down stop away from earning a playoff berth in 2013. A stinging 14-10 loss to Valencia, however, sent the team home earlier than it would’ve liked. “That one game has been a rallying call for the kids,” Coach Brit Johnson said. “It’s been brought up, and it’s just been a reminder for everyone that we need to work that much harder.” The Fighting Irish will lean on running back T.J. Williams again this year. The 6-foot-1 bruiser, who rushed for nearly 1,400 yards a season ago, added 15 pounds to his frame in the offseason, so bringing Williams down will be even more difficult this fall. The passing attack will determine whether the Fighting Irish qualify for the playoffs. “We’re hoping the run game will open things up for the pass,” Johnson added. Junior Adrian Quezada starts at quarterback this year. If he can be a consistent threat and complement the power-run scheme, Kennedy should compete for the No. 3 spot in the league standings.
Players to watch: Troy Cochran, Sr.; Nick Della Rocco, Sr.; Joey Ortega, Sr.; Adrian Quezada, Jr.; Brendon Thomas, Sr.
PROJECTED LINEUP
Offense
QB: Adrian Quezada, Jr.
RB: T.J. Williams, Sr.
WR: Joey Ortega, Sr.
WR: Troy Cochran, Sr.
WR: Brendon Thomas, Sr.
TE: Derrick Deese, Jr.
T: Chris Alvarez, Sr.
G: Nick Della Rocco, Sr.
C: Brian Kim, Jr.
G: Michael Freeman, Sr.
T: Domenic DeFiore, Sr.
Kicker: Spencer Conover, Sr.
Defense
DE: Travis Peralta, Sr.
DT: Nick Della Rocco, Sr.
DT: Draven Gibbs, Sr.
DE: Nick Siatunu’u, Soph.
OLB: Dylan Orue, Jr.
MLB: Louie Aldapa, Jr.
OLB: Imani Gomez, Sr.
CB: Anthony Johar, Jr.
CB: Brendon Thomas, Sr.
SS: Deion Williams, Sr.
FS: Joey Ortega, Sr.
Punter: Spencer Conover, Sr.
Kick return: Joey Ortega, Sr.
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Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
