ANAHEIM – Mahseiah Banks was a touchdown machine, literally, for the Kennedy football team.
The senior touched the ball four times Friday night and found the end zone four times in spectacular fashion to spearhead a 35-13 victory over Pacifica.
True, only three of the four scores counted: Banks’ 70-yard interception return for a TD in the first quarter was nullified by a penalty. But in the second half, he caught touchdown passes of 17 and 41 yards, and went 33 yards on a flanker reverse for another score.
“As long as we can get the win, I’m trying to do whatever it takes for our team to get the win,” Banks said. “I’d say I’m more satisfied with the way I performed on offense, even though I didn’t get a lot of touches. I was still able to show what I’m capable of.”
His interception was actually the second defensive play which helped set the tone for Kennedy. Things were starting to go downhill quickly. An interception by Jordan Morales ended Kennedy’s first possession, then a pass interference penalty and a personal foul after a 17-yard completion from James Anema to Morales put the Mariners at the Kennedy 3. But two plays later, Jacob Pineda picked up Anema’s fumble at the 1 and returned it 99 yards for a TD.
Banks emerged the next possession, intercepting Anema in double coverage.
After being held to 20 yards of offense on seven snaps in the first quarter, the Irish pushed the lead to 14-0 on Derej Almanaz’s 22-yard touchdown to Isaac Talamantes.
Anema threw a couple of touchdowns for Pacifica, a 31-yarder to David Carlsson and 13-yarder to Max Salas.
That pulled Pacifica within 14-13, then Kennedy unleashed Banks in the fourth quarter. Kennedy’s third interception, from Cody Herrera, set the Irish up at the Pacifica 45. Rocco Steele rumbled for 15 yards on second down, and another 15 yards was tacked on for a facemask when his helmet was pulled off during the tackle. On the next play. Almazan hit Banks in the corner of the end zone for a 17-yard TD despite a defensive pass interference on the play.
Banks ended the next possession when ran a reverse for a 33-yard touchdown with 5:46 left in the fourth quarter, then caught a 41-yard score from Almanza with 3:15 left.
Kennedy’s defense contributed with eight tackles for loss, three by Steele before he left the game. The Mariners also lost the ball twice on fumbled snaps, and were flagged for five personal fouls.
Kennedy was careful to not let the game get out of control, Banks said.
“We just make sure we stay on top of each other and not let distractions keep us from our game,” he said. “That’s just really what it took for us to get the ‘W’ tonight.”
It was a milestone for Toa Siatunu’u, who was coaching his first game at Kennedy. He was presented with a game ball afterward, to the cheers of his players.