A year removed from climbing into the CIF Open Division Playoffs, the Kennedy Cougars have built their football program into one of the top teams in the L.A. City Section. Following a blowout 42-14 victory over Eagle Rock in their season opener, the 4th-ranked Cougars took the field last Friday night for their home opener against the Pasadena Bulldogs. Kennedy imposed their will on both sides of the ball with a balanced effort in the 44-0 shutout victory, their confidence building with each game so far this young season. 

Led by junior quarterback Chaz Rodriguez, Kennedy took the field on their opening possession and gained control of the contest with a touchdown pass to senior tight end Joshua Gonzalez. The Cougars led 8-0 after the successful two-point try, and their defense gave the ball back to the offense following a turnover on downs. Rodriguez used his legs on the ensuing drive before throwing his second touchdown of the evening on a 25-yard throw to senior wideout Jared Nathey. 

Kennedy led 16-0 after another successful two-point conversion, as the contest moved into the second quarter. Pasadena’s offense was once again shut down by the Cougars defense, as they earned another fourth down stop to retrieve the football. On the first play of the subsequent drive for Kennedy, Rodriguez threw a 40-yard bomb to junior receiver Max Zepeda to give the Cougars a 23-0 advantage with 11:49 left in the 2nd quarter. 

Kennedy continued their ferociousness on the defensive end with a three-and-out defensive stop to force a punt from Pasadena. The Bulldogs regained possession of the football on the next play after recovering a fumble from the Cougars. Pasadena got their running game going for a pair of successful first down conversions, but once again failed to put points on their boards with a turnover on downs. 

The game took a somber turn, when an ambulance was called for a Bulldogs player who needed medical assistance. Both teams gathered on their respective sidelines in prayer, as the game was delayed for a half hour. After both teams warmed up following the delay, the Cougars retook the field and put the ball in the hands of senior running back Zahn Pickett. His efforts were rewarded at the conclusion of the drive when he powered his way for a 3-yard touchdown score. 

With a commanding 30-0 lead, the Cougars defense refused to take their foot off the gas as junior Isac Rico intercepted a pass from Pasadena junior quarterback Emelio Roybal. Already in scoring territory with 2:05 left in the half, Kennedy reached the end zone once after Gonzalez converted a one-yard touchdown run on a reverse handoff to take a resounding 37-0 lead into halftime. 

The Bulldogs attempted to find signs of life through their ground game in the second half, eating up the majority of the third quarter clock. However, a sack from Cougars senior linebacker Toni Zarate forced the second punt of the night for Pasadena. Kennedy provided opportunities for their backup players with their big lead, with junior running back Jacob Guevara taking advantage in the ground game. 

The Cougars drive took the game into the fourth quarter where Guevara punched in an 8-yard touchdown score to provide an exclamation point in the 44-0 win. The game went to a running clock with the Kennedy defense preserving the shutout in the process. Pickett put together a 100-yard outing on the ground, while Rodriguez threw four touchdown passes through the air. 

Pickett credited his teammates and coaching staff in the postgame interview, and boldly stated their lofty goals for their 2026 campaign, “I think we’re going 10-0 this season, and then we’re gonna go crazy [in the] finals!” 

Rodriguez applauded his team’s physicality and belief in themselves in Friday’s victory in the postgame interview, “I feel like that plays a big part in our success throughout the season”. Kennedy will look to remain unbeaten as they travel to Canyon for a challenging contest with the Cowboys on Thursday night at 7:00 pm.

All photos by David Martinez