Even though the Kennedy Eagles were winning their homecoming game 14-13 going into the second quarter, the score was uncomfortably close, making the team and the fans a little uneasy.
Four minutes into the second quarter Albany intercepted a pass and rallied down the field to take the lead, adding to the tension in the Eagles’ bleachers.
It wasn’t more than a minute later that senior Kenneth Walker III zigzagged through Albany’s defensive line and took the ball 61 yards to the end zone, giving the Eagles a lead that they wouldn’t lose for the remainder of the game as they rolled to a 52-19 victory.
“We met some adversity in the first half, but they were able to battle through,” Coach Mark Carminer said. “I am really proud of the boys.”
Near the end of the first half, Walker scored again on a 40-yard run, taking the score to 28-19.
The Eagles maintained possession of the ball for the majority of the third quarter and with a minute left, junior Irving Matamoros kicked an incredible 48-yard field goal.
Seconds after the ensuing kickoff, Walker intercepted the ball and ran it more than 50 yards back to the end zone, widening the gap on the scoreboard to 38-19.
Kennedy Eagle Jordan Whittley stiff-arms an Albany opponent as he runs downfield. The Eagles beat the Albany Cougars 52-19.
The momentum bled into the bleachers as the cheerleaders and the fans chanted and screamed for their team.
“We started off kind of slow, but we brought the game back at halftime,” Walker said. “We just had to execute a little more.”
Walker was unstoppable, finding holes in Albany’s defense and running the ball, steadily increasing Kennedy’s score six points at a time.
The Eagles’ defense didn’t give Albany a chance to score in the second half, freezing them at 19 points. Albany’s drives were stopped short as junior Deonte Pride deflected multiple passes.
The game ended with the Eagles being the clear victor. Walker scored all six of Kennedy’s touchdowns and amassed 388 yards, with 52 passing yards.
“That is how to play this game,” Coach Carminer said while congratulating an elated team afterward. “That is Kennedy High Football.”
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