Kennedy, Jones Stun Cleveland in 35-0 Win

A tailback ran wild at Cleveland High on Friday evening. Nothing new there.

Except for one thing. It was Edwin Jones of Kennedy--not Albert Fann.

Jones rushed for 280 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead Kennedy to a stunning 35-0 win in the Valley 4-A League game.

For Cleveland’s coaching staff, Jones’ third touchdown added insult to the already painful loss. Kennedy, which led at halftime, 29-0, had been unable to score in the second half, but had the ball at Cleveland’s three-yard line with a minute left in the game.

Cleveland apparently had stopped Kennedy when Jeff Newman’s pass fell incomplete on fourth down, but Kennedy maintained possession after Cleveland was called for pass interference.

Jones scored from the two-yard line on the next play.

As far as the Cleveland coaches were concerned, it was the kind of play-calling that would have made Miami Coach Jimmy Johnson blush.

“If Kennedy wants to throw on fourth down with a 29-point lead, that’s their prerogative,” Cleveland Coach Steve Landress said. “My day will come.”

Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said that he passed because he didn’t want to destroy the Cougars’ offensive consistency.

So after a 1-3 start, Kennedy (4-3-1, 3-0-1 in league), is in a position to tie for the league championship with a win against San Fernando next week. Cleveland, which won its first six games, is 6-2, 2-2. It was the second straight blowout the Cavaliers have suffered. Last week, they lost to Granada Hills, 21-3.

Jones, a 5-10, 180-pound senior, was most effective on option plays from Newman. Jones ran one option 75 yards for a touchdown and two others went for more than 35 yards. He also broke a dive play for 92 yards, but was caught from behind at Cleveland’s three-yard line.