Kennedy pounds Katella in season finale

ANAHEIM - Kennedy ended its season on a high note Friday night, recording a 44-16 victory over visiting Katella in an Empire League game at Western High. (Full game stats.)

The Irish (4-6, 2-3) scored touchdowns on all five of their first-half possessions, capped by a Christian Tekurio 59-yard punt return with 12 seconds left in the half.

Andy Peterson passed for 163 yards and two scores at the intermission, connecting with six receivers while also adding a 2-yard scoring run on fourth down.

Kennedy opened the game by recovering a pooch kick at the Katella 26. Four plays later, Kyle White scored from 2 yards out. The senior, who rushed for a game-high 91 yards, upped the lead to 14-0 on a 46-yard screen pass.

On their next possession, Peterson connected with Jordan Collins on a 79-yard pass play to set up a Peterson 5-yard touchdown pass to Giancarlo Varia.

Katella (1-9, 0-5) scored its first touchdown in the third quarter when Dylan Bradley made a diving 23-yard reception in the back of the end zone. Nikio Bush  added a 12-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com