With a strong-armed quarterback in Alex Hernandez and a deep group of talented receivers, Kennedy has ridden a wide-open offense to a perfect start.
But sometimes the Crusaders like to run the clock by running the ball, and Victor Sandoval is just the player to do it.
Sandoval had 20 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown as Kennedy beat Rauner 28-12 on Sept. 24 at Rockne Stadium.
Hernandez was 8 of 9 passing for 123 yards and TD of 11 yards to Tony James, 29 yards to Kavarion McCarter and 27 yards to Jacob Tunstill as the Crusaders moved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Public League White West.
“It’s pretty awesome to have a guy like Vic,” Kennedy coach Deandre Mosley said. “He spends a lot of time working on his cuts. … Vic is a great back and I really hope he gets an opportunity to play in college. He’s an electrifying kid.”
Mosley knows Sandoval’s size — 5-10 and 160 pounds — could play against him in recruiting.
“But when you watch that kid … he’s a phenomenal runner,” Mosley said.
Sandoval said his understanding of the game has grown since last fall.
“I feel like it changed … on the way I’m running and reading the defense,” he said. “So I’m able to bounce outside, bounce inside.”
Sandoval also stepped in against Rauner and played linebacker after a teammate was injured in practice the day before.
“Victor’s freshman year, he was a thicker kid playing linebacker,” Mosley said. “So the linebacker is still there.”
When the need arose, the coach added, “I just leaned on the senior like, ‘Look, it’s your last year. You should not want to come off the field. I know you played linebacker as a freshman. I need you to do that today.'”
Sandoval was up for the added duties.
“I just had to adapt to it and do what I need to do for my team,” he said.
Back of the Yards 19, Fenger 0: Alejandro Anguiano had a 54-yard pick-six and ran for 139 yards and two TDs to pace Back of the Yards (3-3, 2-1 Public League Blue South) on Sept. 24 at home.
Richard Garcia, Victor De La Cruz, Alex Rodriguez and John Pacheco also contributed on defense for the Bobcats.
Goode 44, Lindblom 22: Aedan Cleveland ran 22 times for 204 yards and four touchdowns as Goode (4-1, 3-0 Public League Red Southwest) won easily on Sept. 26 at Stagg Stadium.
Jordan Boston added eight carries for 132 yards and a TD for the Knights, while Caron Williams had nine rushes for 115 yards and a score. Trenell Clark had two pancake blocks, seven total tackles and 2.5 sacks, Kaleb Bryant picked off a Lindblom pass and Ryan Ogburn recovered a fumble.
Leo 34, De La Salle 12: Prentice Coleman scored on an 83-yard kickoff return and a 10-yard pass from Bodhi Seda for host De La Salle (0-6, 0-2 Catholic League Red).
Prosser 22, Curie 14: Freshman quarterback Treyveon Townsend ran for one touchdown and threw a TD pass to Harper Edwards for Curie (3-3, 1-2 Public League Red North) on Sept. 25 at Hanson Stadium.
Mike Walsh contributed to this story.