For seismic effect, few high school football upsets can compare to Kennedy’s 19-7 defeat of Seneca Valley in the 2006 playoffs.
It was more than an upstart toppling a perennial power. It was a team erasing the effects of a 49-7 loss to the same squad seven weeks earlier. Count the Screaming Eagles among those who were the most shocked.
“It was the most upsetting loss we’ve ever had, definitely,” said tight end Alex Betancourt. “We were really looking ahead to the next game against Urbana. We beat Kennedy by 40 the first time. We didn’t think there was any way we could lose that game.”
Tonight at Kennedy (4-2), Seneca Valley (6-0) not only has a chance to settle the score, it can damage the Cavaliers’ postseason hopes.
“Last year, things fell into place for us,” said Kennedy two-way starting tackle Michael Collier. “This year has been more of a struggle. But all along, we’ve always thought this team can be better. We have to make our own destiny.”
Tensions guarantee to be high tonight. Last year’s saga, fueled by Internet sniping, created enmity between the teams. Kennedy coach Gunard Twyner, a former assistant at Seneca, didn’t shy from the conflict. Neither did Seneca Valley coach Fred Kim.
“I remember their coach yelling at us in both games,” said Betancourt. “It’s not what you expect, but it works for them. He knows how to fire his team up. He knows how to get under people’s skin. When he came to Kennedy, he brought a whole new attitude. He made them believe.”
Twyner will look to QB/WR/DB/KR Melvin Harris tonight. The senior has completed 47 of 97 passes for 880 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed 58 times for 631 yards and eight scores out of the spread offense. Last week, in a 50-13 win over Watkins Mill, Harris accounted for touchdowns four different ways — passing, receiving, rushing, and returning.
Seneca Valley counters with a balanced offense featuring QB George Lerch (45 of 83, 671 yards, 10 TD) and FB Jamaal Martin (79 carries, 738 yards, 12 TD) and an opportunistic defense, which has forced 12 interceptions and returned four for scores.
“I don’t see it as bad blood between us,” said Collier. “I see it as competition with a lot of energy — high tension.”
SENECA AT KENNEDY
» Seneca leads the series 18-2.
» Before Kennedy’s playoff victory last year, Seneca had scored at least 41 points in each of the previous eight meetings, all wins by no fewer than 24 points.
» Seneca has won a record 12 Maryland state titles.
