Kennedy Thrashes GW As Dixon Goes On A Tear

*Reposting some of my clips from life as a sports reporter as I find them. These are exactly as they appeared in print/online minus photos.

 

Printed in the Rocky Mountain News – September 17, 1995

By Tiffany Trott
Special to the Rocky Mountain News

It is a different year and a different Kennedy football team, but the results are still the same.

Last season, Kennedy went 10-0 behind standout halfback Shayne Blakey. This season, senior fullback Derrick Dixon has picked up where Blakey left off.

Dixon rushed for 273 yards on 19 carries Thursday night to lead Kennedy to a 37-9 victory over George Washington at All City Stadium.

The victory gives the Commanders (2-0) a strong hold on first place in the Denver Prep League. George Washington falls to 0-2.

Dixon, who played behind Blakey last year, emerged as the key player in the Kennedy offense, even though he was prone to fumbles last season.

“Derrick just needed to get some experience under his belt,” Kennedy coach Bruce Abeyta said. “He’s getting most of the reps in practice, and he is a lot more sure of himself.”

Dixon scored on runs of 71, 29 and 86 yards for Kennedy.

“What I am doing is not a surprise to me,” Dixon said. “I let my speed take over for me because I’m not that big, and I got some great blocking from my line.”

Kennedy dominated the first half, scoring on four of its seven drives and getting a safety off a blocked punt by defensive back Elmer Hill to take a 30-0 lead.

Dixon scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, and halfback Steve Campos scored on a 17-yard run and a 24-yard reception from quarterback Kurt Enzminger. Enzminger completed the pass to Campos after almost being sacked by four George Washington linemen and scrambling to the line of scrimmage.

The Patriots held Kennedy scoreless in the third and scored their only points. Running back Johnnie Coleman scored on an 11-yard run with 2:58 left in the period.

“These guys are young, but they grew up a bit in the second half and they will grow up some more next week,” George Washington coach Steve Finesilver said.

Dixon scored Kennedy’s last touchdown on an 86-yard run after shaking five Patriot defenders.

Kennedy now faces a tough DPL schedule with Denver East next week and Montbello the following week.

“We by no means drew an easy schedule,” Abeyta said. “I’m not surprised by what we are doing. We only lost four players to graduation.”

admin Written by: