ANAHEIM - Kennedy’s defense is playing its best at the right time of the season.

The Fighting Irish posted its their third consecutive shutout in a 21-0 triumph over previously unbeaten University in a CIF-SS Southern Division quarterfinal playoff game Friday night at Western High.

Kennedy, the defending Southern Division champion, moves on to the semifinals where it will play Empire League rival Pacifica next week.

“That is good,” Kennedy coach Mitch Olson said after learning of his team plays Pacifica next. “They are good, good friends of ours. Our goal (tonight) was just to get to the next week.”

Pacifica defeated Kennedy, 27-14, three weeks ago. But Kennedy (8-3) hasn’t given up a point since that game.

“Defense is what we are known for, and I thought we played really solid defense tonight,” Olson said. “University can do some things. We brought a lot of people. We were able to stop their good athletes. I thought we matched up really well with them.”

Kennedy, led by defensive linemen Eli Tekurio, Brian Ortega and Kyle White up front, stopped University’s option running attack in its tracks. The Trojans (10-1) gained just 20 yards on the ground.

Forced to pass most of the night, University quarterback Parker Thompson was pressured repeatedly.

“Their quickness was too much,” University Coach Mark Cunningham said. “They were the better team.”

Kennedy did just enough on offense.

The Fighting Irish got all the points it they needed on its their first possession of the game, driving 93 yards on 11 plays for a score. The drive was capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass from Zack Emde to Jordan Collins.

A 59-yard touchdown run by Steve Salazar on the second play of the second half pushed Kennedy’s lead to 14-0. Salazar later added a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:53 left.

Salazar ended with 93 yards on 13 carries, and Corey Smith finished with 116 yards on 21 carries for Kennedy.
 

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com