Kennedy football falls to Yamhill-Carlton 12-7, records first loss of the season

Kennedy High School football recorded its first loss of the season on Thursday, Sept. 26, losing to Yamhill-Carlton 12-7 at home.

The Trojans opened the night in vintage fashion, marching down the field on a 13-play, 58-yard scoring drive to take an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter. After Colby Rich recovered a fumble at the Tigers’ 21-yard line on the ensuing kickoff, it seemed Kennedy was well on its way to 5-0.

“Every time we ever lose, (head coach Joe Panuke tells us) we lose as a team, we win as a team. We’re not going to point fingers or anything,” Kennedy sophomore Creo Walker said. “There was a lot of problems – it’s just that we weren’t ready enough. We didn’t play hard enough.”

Kennedy failed to capitalize on the optimal field position, turning it over on downs after Josiah Martinez missed a field attempt from nearly 40 yards. Taking over on its own 23-yard line, Yamhill-Carlton responded with a scoring drive that culminated in the second period, with Jack Mitchell completing a 10-yard passing touchdown to Gus Brunner.

The Tigers missed the extra point attempt, trailing 7-6. A decent Colby Rich return on the kickoff was called back after a holding penalty against the Trojans, pushing them back to their own 25-yard line.

It didn’t seem to matter much, as sophomore Jaden Traeger – filling in for an injured Jaydon Estrada – scampered for 39 yards across five carries to help drive Kennedy down to Yamhill-Carlton’s 36-yard line.

Unfortunately, the Trojans went broke, two consecutive incompletions from Brody Panuke leading to a 4th and 8 situation. Panuke was sacked by a pair of Tigers’ for the turnover on downs.

The two sides traded empty possessions entering the second half, with Traeger totaling 72 of his team-high 78 rushing yards through two quarters, the Tigers suffocating Kennedy’s ground-game in the second half.

“They learned from our running (attack in the first half),” Traeger said. “They were just filling the holes; they were ready for us out of the second half.”

“Their linebackers are really good,” Walker added. “They fly to the ball and that’s what we’ve been trying to replicate.”

After the teams traded punts to open the third quarter, Mitchell connected with Josh Webber on a 60-yard heave for the final score of the night, a failed 2-point conversion making it 12-7.

Despite their best efforts, the Trojans couldn’t find an answer – an interception from junior Landon Kline in the fourth quarter ultimately led to a punt, but a massive stop by Kennedy on a 4th and goal provided another opportunity with under four minutes remaining.

The drive opened promisingly, with a 12-yard completion from Panuke to Rich, until Panuke was picked off by Yamhill-Carlton’s Isaac Tindall on the ensuing play. Facing a 3rd and 13 in the waning minutes, Mitchell found Carsen Carden on a 28-yard dime down the right sideline to seal the victory for the Tigers.

Brody Panuke finished with 46 passing yards on a 5-for-13 outing, throwing one interception while rushing for another. Rich added 44 yards rushing on nine carries. Mitchell had 203 yards passing and two touchdowns, throwing 11-for-18 to lead Yamhill-Carlton. Tyler Pond, meanwhile, recorded 77 yards on 24 carries for the Tigers.

“We kind of gave up on some tackles and coming to the ball together,” Traeger said. “On offense, just everyone on the team – not just lineman – need to hold our blocks more and be more aware.”

The Trojans sit at 4-1 (1-1 SD1) with the loss. Although it wasn’t a favorable result, the 12 points by the Tigers is the most Kennedy’s allowed in a game all year, currently outscoring opponents a whopping 135-32.

The Trojans’ defense, much to no one’s surprise, is truly elite once again, ranking among the leaders in fewest total points allowed in Class 3A. If they hope to avoid another first-round state playoff exit this season, defense will surely pave the way.

“(Joe) Panuke tells us in the film room the one year we won the state championship, the only difference between our defense now and the defense (then) is that that defense flies to the ball like their head’s on fire,” Walker said. “That’s what we’ve been trying to do.”

Kennedy’s next bout will be on Friday, Oct. 4 on the road against North Marion (0-4, 0-1 SD1).