Kennedy football edges Panorama for first City Section title

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LAKE BALBOA — Running back Gabriel Argott led Kennedy to its first section football championship with a thrilling 22-21 win over Panorama in the CIF City Section Division II championship game. Argott had 43 carries for 252 yards and all three of Kennedy’s touchdowns in Friday’s championship game.

On a drive where Panorama penalties gave Kennedy first downs on two fourth down plays, Argott had the final score of the game on a 4-yard touchdown run and the ensuing two point conversion in the middle to give Kennedy a 22-21 lead in the fourth quarter.

After the score, Panorama had a chance to win the game on the final drive, but the Kennedy defense held strong and forced Panorama into a 44-yard field goal attempt with 30 seconds left that was missed.

“It feels great man, our school has been around for about 50 years and it’s great to be the first ones to ever do it,”  Argott said. “I just want to say thank you to all the O-line and all the people who blocked out there. This feels awesome.”

Kennedy controlled possession throughout most of the first half through Argott and the running game, but wasn’t able to convert in some key moments. Panorama was able to stop Kennedy twice in the red zone. The first ended Kennedy’s first drive of the game after 19 plays when the ball was snapped over Argott’s head at the 1-yard line resulting in a turnover on downs for Kennedy.

Kennedy was finally able to find the end zone at the beginning of the second quarter on an Argott 11-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead. After going three-and-out on their first two drives, Panorama bounced back following the Argott score with a nine-play drive that ended with a 36-yard touchdown run from Adam Peña to tie the game at 7-7.

Kennedy was able to drive down the field once again following the Peña score, but Steven Garcia was no good on a 37-yard field goal before halftime. Panorama took a 13-7 lead on their first drive of the second half when Keanu Kelly scored on a QB sneak.

Kennedy quickly responded to take a 14-13 lead when Argott scored his second touchdown of the game on an 11-yard run.

“We talked and I told Gabriel I’m gonna have to feed you during the playoffs.” Kennedy Coach Troy Cassidy said. “He’s a special kid, a kind-hearted kid, but will play just physical as heck on the football field.”

Panorama was able to regain the lead early in the fourth quarter when Justin Pacheco scored on an 18-yard touchdown run followed by a successful two-point conversion to give the Pythons a 21-14 lead. Pacheco finished the game with 17 carries for 77 yards and the touchdown.

The Panorama run game was effective throughout, finished with 293 total rushing yards. Dennis Akinleye had 12 carries for 109 yards for the Pythons.

Following Panorama’s final score, Kennedy and Argott closed out the game on a 10-play, four-minute drive resulting in Argott’s final score in the middle of the fourth quarter.

Kennedy was also able to avenge a 28-14 loss to Panorama from Valley Mission league play from the regular season.

“It’s a first for everything. We’re the first, the whole team’s excited, and we’re making history,” said Kennedy running back and defensive back Alonzo Fuentes-Gutierrez.

Fuentes-Gutierrez finished the game with 12 carries for 54 yards for the Cougars. Freshman quarterback Diego Montes was 7 of 10 for 64 yards for Kennedy.

Panorama finished its 2022 season 12-2 and also lost its second straight City Section title game.

“I’m proud of the boys, we didn’t get here by mistake.” said Panorama coach Adrian Beltran. “Second year in a row. I wish we could pick up that trophy for my seniors, they are great kids.”