By Ted Apodaca
Katella High opened its football season with a dominating win over Kennedy, 49-7, on Thursday at Glover Stadium.
Both teams started a little rusty as they exchanged turnovers in the first quarter, but the Knights soon found their rhythm, led by the passing combination of Riley Flenniken and Edward Williams. Flenniken threw for 354 yards and five touchdowns, four of those to Williams, who had eight catches for 183 yards.
After a Flenniken to Alexus Malvamez touchdown pass gave Katella a 6-0 lead, the Knights forced a fumble by Kennedy on the ensuing possession at the Kennedy 11 yard line. Katella struck right away, with a touchdown pass from Flenniken to Williams. A two-point conversion run by Adrian Favila pushed the lead to 14-0. On their next possession, Flenniken and Williams hooked up again, this time for a 30-yard strike and Katella led 21-0 with 6:10 left in the second quarter. Flenniken found Williams for a 47-yard touchdown to give the Knights a 28-0 lead at halftime.
Katella coach Fred DiPalma said he was disappointed with the turnovers and some other mistakes, but said they were likely just first-game hiccups. He said he thought they would be able to shore those up. As for the way the Knights took control of the game, DiPalma was extremely pleased.
“I was just pleased overall, with both sides of the ball,” DiPalma said.
Katella will play at Westminster High, on Friday at 7 p.m. Westminster is 0-1, after a 34-14 loss to Yucca Valley last week.
