Pacifica grinds way past Kennedy

ANAHEIM When Pacifica beat Kennedy the first time they played each other this season, Pacifica took advantage of some Kennedy turnovers to win that game.

This time, Pacifica simply muscled its way to victory.

"They just took it to us," Kennedy coach Mitch Olson said. "Plain and simple."

Josh Brannoncarried 34 times for 222 yards, and the Pacifica defense got three interceptions as the Mariners beat Kennedy, 17-7, Saturday night in a CIF-Southern Section Southern Division semifinal playoff football game at Western High.

Pacifica (10-2) will play Cypress (9-3) in the Southern Division championship game Friday. The site will be announced Monday. It is Cypress' home game, and Cypress uses Western (Handel Stadium) for its home games.

Pacifica beat Cypress, 35-34, when they played in an Empire League game on Oct. 11 at Western.

Pacifica is seeking its first CIF football championship. The Mariners have been to CIF championship football games three times, most recently in 2002 when they lost to La Habra in the Division IX final.

Kennedy won the Southern Division championship last year.

The Mariners had beaten Kennedy, 27-14, in an Empire League game on Nov. 1. Pacifica quarterback Raymond Huizarfigured the Fighting Irish would be motivated for revenge.

"We knew (Kennedy) would come back hard," he said, "and they hit us as hard as they can. But we outhit and outphysicaled them."

Pacifica tight end Nick Mahlerhad seven receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown, and had one of the Mariners' three interceptions. Tyler Ortizand Raphael Huizarhad the others.

After a scoreless first quarter, Kennedy took a 7-0 lead on a 32-yard pass play from quarterback Zach Emdeto Tony Nunez. Nunez made a great stop-then-run move to get open, then after making the catch suddenly stopped again to avoid the safety, cut back toward the middle and ran into the end zone.

Pacifica tied it in that quarter on a 7-yard run by Raymond Huizar. That capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive that included five runs by Brannon.

The Mariners made it 14-7 with 56 seconds left in the first half. Raymond Huizar connected with Mahler on a 2-yard pass for the touchdown.

In the third quarter, Seth Trader kicked a 23-yard field goal to push Pacifica's lead to 17-7.

Pacifica committed some turnovers, losing the ball on fumbles and interceptions, but were on the right end of enough turnovers to keep momentum in its favor.

"Yeah, we made some turnovers," Pacifica coach Guy Gardner said, "but we got some, too."

Gardner said Pacifica's effort was a big factor in the victory.

"We're not that big," he said, "so we have to play hard. And we played hard tonight. I think we just made a few more big plays than Kennedy did, and Josh ran very hard."

Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com