Kennedy blanks Hannan 30-0 in second round

NEW ORLEANS – John F. Kennedy and Archbishop Hannan met in the second round of the LHSAA Select Division II state football playoffs on Thursday night.

The fifth-seeded Cougars (10-1) were hoping to continue one of the best seasons in school history while the 21st-seeded Hawks looked for a second straight postseason upset on the road.

A rested and ready Kennedy was not vulnerable to any surprise, outplaying Hannan in all phases of the game for a 30-0 victory at Pan American Stadium. The result marked JFK’s first ever playoff win and state quarterfinal berth.

The Hawks were tough early, keeping the game scoreless for most of the 1st quarter. Kennedy finally struck and didn’t look back. Chris Armstrong connected with Ralo Egana for an 89-yard touchdown that sparked the Cougars.

Jaquan Glover then stole the show. The Kennedy running back doubled the lead on a 10-yard touchdown run and later turned the jets for a 40-yard score.

“I love my running back and he did a lot,” said Armstrong. “We talked about him before the game and he came through with three touchdowns. He did it.”

Glover’s 21-yard scamper to the house gave Kennedy a 27-0 advantage at the half.

“I just wanted to help out my team, and we made to the 3rd round,” said Glover.

Nahun Lalin knocked through a 35-yard field goal in the third quarter to cap the scoring as Kennedy cruised to the finish behind a relentless defense and special teams.

A blocked punt in the third quarter and an interception by Glenn Jackson were second half highlights. The Cougars enjoyed their fifth shutout this season.

Glover led the Cougars with 19 carries for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Armstrong finished with 10 of 19 passes for 189 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

“This win is big for our program and it’s only the beginning,” said Kennedy head coach Lynarise Elpheage. “They dared us to run and we ran. Jaquan put the team on his back and carried us through. The defense is the strength of our team and they are going to be the reason why we go far as we go. It’s a privilege to be practicing on holiday break and it let’s us know that we’re still in the hunt for the state championship.”

Joshua Alonzo paced the Hawks with 15 carries for 61 yards and added four catches for 33 yards. Hannan (4-8) had a very young team this season but expected to benefit next year from much experience returning.

“We executed really well defensively but we didn’t execute on offense for one reason to the other. My hat goes out to Kennedy,” said Archbishop Hannan head coach Corey Bordelon. “Everyone of those seniors are phenomenal kids and most importantly great young men. That always hurts when you graduate those kind of character player, it’s hard to replace them.”

Kennedy will take on the winner of the Evangel Christian-E.D. White next Friday in the quarterfinals of the Select Division II bracket.