by AP
The Washington Post
11-18-2006

Defense Helps Cavaliers Advance in Maryland 3A West

Kennedy put a new face on a fresh defensive approach to stop Seneca Valley, 19-7, in a Maryland 3A West playoff game last night at Kennedy.

The Cavaliers' victory in their first playoff game since 1985 came against a Screaming Eagles team that ran up 400 yards rushing in a 49-7 blowout of Kennedy earlier in the season.

Kennedy Coach Gunnard Twyner said he put a priority on stopping Seneca Valley from making big plays in the rematch, so he stacked 11 players in the box on defense.

We said, "Look, if you want to throw it to win you can, but we're not going to let you run the ball down our throats," Twyner said. "Our defense is pretty fast and we just didn't give them any more big plays."

Twyner said senior nose tackle Andy Nunez was a key factor in the defensive effort. Nunez was academically ineligible for the first game against Seneca Valley, but posted a 3.2 grade-point average this quarter to regain his playing status.

Offensively, Cavaliers quarterback Melvin Harris led the way with a rushing score and a passing touchdown to Abreon Scott, which put Kennedy up for good in the fourth quarter, 13-7.

Kennedy (10-1) came into the season on a 25-game losing streak.

"It was as big as it's ever been," Twyner said of the win. "The biggest game this school's had in the last 20 years."