The Kennedy High football team advanced to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 10 playoffs with a 28-14 win over Crescenta Valley on Friday at Glover Stadium.
The Fighting Irish quarterback Devin Alamazan threw for 169 yards and three touchdowns and the Irish rushing attack added another 143 yards and a score to lead the Fighting Irish. Rider Street paced the ground game with 117 rushing yards and Isaac Talamantes punched in Kennedy’s rushing touchdown.
Almazan spread the ball around as six different receivers combined for 12 receptions. Devin Bell had four receptions and one touchdown. Drew Deese and John Bivens each had a touchdown reception, while Street had two receptions for 41 yards and led the team in all-purpose yards with 158.
Gio Santos had a big night on defense with two sacks and three solo tackles. Riley Schow and Deon Bynum each had a team-high six total tackles and John Bivens had an interception and a fumble recovery.
The Fighting Irish (7-4) will travel to Xavier Prep of Palm Desert on Friday for a second round game against the Saints. Xavier Prep is the third-place team out the Desert Empire League and is coming off a 14-3 win over one of their league rivals, La Quinta High of La Quinta.
Centurions roll past Rio Mesa
Cypress High football team advanced to the second round of the CIF-SS Division 6 playoffs with a 50-24 win over Rio Mesa on Friday.
Senior quarterback Aidan Houston threw for 164 yards and four touchdowns, but it was the running game that kept Rio Mesa’s defense working. The Centurions compiled 331 yards on the ground, also led by Houston, who rolled up 176 yards on 20 carries. Senior Jesse Mauldin added 108 yards and one touchdown, while Joshua Brito added another rushing touchdown.
Mauldin had 56 yards receiving and a touchdown, while Michael Hubbard, Kaden Hollenbeck and Rocco Burdett also had touchdown receptions.
Bruno Caldarella had 10 total tackles, including seven solo, as well as an interception to help lead the defense. Tyler White and Burdett each had nine total tackles, while Brady Sjostrom added seven.
The Centurions (6-4) will next travel to Manhattan Beach to take on Mira Costa (4-7) in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. Mira Costa was the third-place team out of the Bay League and defeated Yucaipa, 28-13 in their first-round win.
Griffins top Upland
Los Alamitos High football will take on Serra High of Gardena on Friday in the CIF-SS Division 2 quarterfinals after the Griffins defeated Upland, 56-31 in their first-round game.
Serra, the third-place team out of the Mission League defeated league rival Bishop Amat, 48-14 in their playoff opener. Friday’s quarterfinal game will be at 7 p.m. at Serra High.