ANAHEIM – Kennedy had Cypress star Quinten Pounds bottled up and the Centurions on the ropes in an Empire League game Thursday night at Western High.
Pounds, who committed to Washington the day before, didn’t catch a pass and gained 78 yards on 11 carries. But the swift 6-foot-1, 180-pounder was there when Cypress needed him in the second half, scoring two touchdowns in a 21-17 come-from-behind victory.
Pounds, who splits time between receiver and running back, sliced into the end zone on a 2-yard run with 44 seconds to play to win the game. He also had a 5-yard touchdown run in the third period.
“We had started to become more physical in the second half,” Cypress coach Rick Feldman said. “We decided to run Taylor Williams inside and Q (Pounds) outside. We were able to have Q a little fresh at the end.”
Williams, a 185-pound senior tailback, had zero yards on four carries in the first half. He blasted his way for 58 yards on 11 carries in the second half.
The Centurions (7-2, 3-1) clinched a postseason berth by securing at least second place. The Fighting Irish (5-4, 2-2) still have a chance to finish third for the final guaranteed postseason spot and also should be in the running for an at-large spot in the Southwest Division.
Cypress took its first lead of the game, 14-10, on a tight end Benny Morales’ 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nick Buras and Buras’ PAT on the first play of the fourth quarter.
“They were bracketing Q, jamming him at the line and double teaming him,” Feldman said. “They left Morales uncovered.”
The touchdown was the first for Morales on varsity.
“When we got down, Coach Feldman said he was going to get me the ball and we’d take the game back,” Morales said. “I was the primary receiver. I’m sure nothing feels better than that (touchdown).”
Kennedy responded with a 73-yard, nine-play march which ended on Joey Ortega’s 3-yard touchdown run with 5:11 remaining. Spencer Conover’s PAT put the Fighting Irish up, 17-14.
Pounds had 39 yards on six carries on Cypress’ game-winning 64-yard, 12-play march.
Kennedy led, 10-0, at halftime. Quarterback Adrian Quezada tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Deese with 1:41 left in the first quarter and Conover booted a 37-yard field goal with 1:27 left in the second quarter.
Kennedy’s 230-pound running back T.J. Williams gained 97 yards on 18 carries and Ortega ran for 82 on 10.
