Kennedy rolls over Livingston Collegiate, 48-0

NEW ORLEANS – John F. Kennedy and Livingston Collegiate had plenty to play for Thursday night.

Both teams were tied for first place in District 9-3A and ranked in the top 10 of the LHSAA Power Rankings in Division II Select with identical 5-1 records. Something had to give in these two surprising breakout seasons.

The good times kept rolling for third-year head coach Lynarise Elphaege Sr. and JFK.

The Cougars dominated the Wolves in a 48-0 Homecoming victory at Joe Brown Stadium.

The Wolves were buried by early turnovers which were repeatedly converted into points for JFK.

Kennedy (6-1, 2-0) punted the ball on their first drive but caught break that set the tone early. The ball deflected off a Livingston player and the Cougars recovered it at the Wolves 32 yard line. The ensuing short drive was capped by 12-yard touchdown from Jaquan Glover.

The Cougars made their next break happen on defense. Hurley McDonald intercepted a pass and returned to Livingston’s 14-yard line. Then came more good fortune for JFK. Glover tried to get in the end zone for the 2nd time but he fumbled the ball in the end zone. Fortunately Clavin Grant was Johnny on spot and recovered the fumble for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

On the following kickoff, the Wolves (5-2, 1-1) fumbled the ball and the Cougars recovered at the Livingston 31-yard line. Kennedy took advantage of a miscue again. Christopher Armstrong connected with Ralo Egana for an 11-yard touchdown extending the lead to 20-0.

Glover later added a 48-yard touchdown run, and the rout was on.

“I feel like that we wanted it more and we wanted our game to do the talking,” said Glover. “We don’t look at who we play and take things one week at a time.”

Kennedy’s defense came up with another big play when Deshawn Baptise intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 35 yards to the Wolves’ 40-yard line. Trellis Williams hauled in a 23-yard touchdown catch soon after. The Cougars led 34-0 at the half.

“This was our Homecoming and we wanted to come out physical. Coach Elphage has not won at Homecoming but we wanted to get him the win,” said Baptise. “In previous games, Coach Elphage has been preaching on finishing the game and that’s what we have to do.”

Both Glover and Armstrong scored their third touchdowns of the game in the second half. Glover’s 23-yard run and Armstrong’s 12-yard pass to Joey Davis completed the scoring.

Kennedy had 310 yards of total offense. Glover led the Cougars with 11 carries for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Armstrong was 11 of 19 for 158 passing yards and three touchdowns with one interception; he added a pair of carries for 26 yards. James Evans had four catches for 62 yards.

“If we’re going to be the team we want to be, we must clean up those little mistakes. We can’t have that if we’re going to be the team to go far in the playoffs,” said Kennedy’s Elphage. “We been in a lot of situations and I’m happy that my team is starting to feel comfortable in any situation we get put in. You don’t know what to expect down the road.”

Livingston had five turnovers including four in the opening quarter.

“It’s the little things we have to fix going forward. We have to finish the play,” said Livingston head coach Devon Francois. “We shot ourselves in the foot a lot of times. We have to stop playing behind the sticks.”

Alfred Scott led the Wolves with 16 carries for 55 yards.

Next week, Kennedy will face Haynes Academy while Livingston will look to regroup against Sophie B. Wright.