KENNEDY LOSES, FRANCOLA'S COACHING CAREER ENDS FAIRFAX 30, KENNEDY 20.Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News The Bob Francola era at Kennedy of Granada Hills High came to an end in a 30-20 loss at Fairfax in a City Section championship first-round playoff game Noun 1. playoff game - one game in the series of games constituting a playoff game - a single play of a sport or other contest; "the game lasted two hours" playoff - any final competition to determine a championship Thursday night. It was the final game for Francola, who is retiring after a coaching career that spanned 35 years, including the past 20 at Kennedy. Francola, dressed in his customary shorts, Kennedy baseball cap and a towel around his neck, was hugged by his players after time expired ex·pire v. ex·pired, ex·pir·ing, ex·pires v.intr. 1. To come to an end; terminate: My membership in the club has expired. 2. and congratulated by Lions' coach S.K. Cox and Fairfax administrators. ``I am proud of my career. I am proud of my team,'' Francola said. ``I worked with some great guys. I've stood on the shoulders of some great coaches but I knew it had to happen. There were no tears.'' Francola, who played at Hollywood High
``It's going to take a while to sink in and shift gears and start chasing some largemouth bass largemouth bass see micropterus salmoides. to keep my competitive juices going,'' Francola said. Fairfax (9-3) extinguished ex·tin·guish tr.v. ex·tin·guished, ex·tin·guish·ing, ex·tin·guish·es 1. To put out (a fire, for example); quench. 2. To put an end to (hopes, for example); destroy. See Synonyms at abolish. 3. any hopes for another victory for Kennedy (9-2) and its outgoing coach, jumping to a 14-0 first-half lead and extending it to 30-13 with 10:32 left, powered by the ground game of Patrick Hill and Jonathan Price. Hill rushed for 169 yards and two touchdowns, 98 in the first half, and Price added 75 yards and a score. ``We tried to keep (Francola's) last season going as long as we could,'' Kennedy senior quarterback Kenny Everett Kenny Everett (born Maurice Cole in Crosby, Merseyside, 25 December 1944, died 4 April 1995), was a popular English radio DJ and television entertainer. Early life Everett attended the local secondary modern school, St. said. ``We just didn't come and lay it out to (Fairfax) in the first quarter like we normally do. That's what got us this game.'' A Fairfax interception on Kennedy's opening drive in the third quarter was the final blow. Trailing 17-7, Kennedy was driving in Fairfax territory when Jorge Aceituno intercepted a pass to end the Golden Cougars' drive. Fairfax drove 46 yards to take a 23-7 lead on a 10-yard touchdown by Hill, his second of the game. Kennedy's Lucas Williams returned the following kickoff 71 yards for a touchdown, but the Lions responded with a 4-yard touchdown run by Hill on their next series for a 30-13 lead. ``(Francola) told us what to do, we just couldn't execute,'' Kennedy senior running back Chris Gadalla said. ``We couldn't get it done tonight. (Fairfax) came out with a better game plan.'' Gadalla gained 62 yards in 14 carries and scored on a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Sophomore Matt Gentle had 64 yards in 10 carries and Everett completed seven of 12 passes for 71 yards for Kennedy. |
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