ANAHEIM – T.J. Williams rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries to lead Kennedy to a 30-28 victory over El Modena in a nonleague game Friday night at Western High.
With a host of Kennedy alumni in attendance celebrating the school’s homecoming and 50th anniversary, the Irish (2-0) held off a fierce Vanguard comeback in the fourth quarter.
Vanguards running back Kenneth Lamb scored a touchdown with 1:40 remaining to cut the lead to 30-28, but the team’s 2-point conversion was stopped. The Irish recovered the ensuing onside kick to preserve the win.
Lamb finished with 73 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries. He also caught five passes for 63 yards.
Williams appeared to have clinched the victory with a 52-yard run early in the fourth quarter to give the Irish a 30-14 lead, but the Vanguards (1-1) responded with two touchdown drives in the final seven minutes.
Vanguard quarterback Daniel Contreras completed 14 of 28 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown. Contreras also rushed for 58 yards. Receiver Patrick Marzolino led the Vanguards with six catches for 127 yards and one touchdown.
The Irish scored first on a 6-yard touchdown run by Williams to cap a 12-play, 75-yard opening drive. Williams was the focal point for the Irish offense, carrying 18 times for 120 yards in the first half.
