Memorial Defeated Kennedy in Salsa Bowl

The Memorial Minutemen secured their first win of the 2026 season with a shutout victory over Kennedy.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Football

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Memorial defeated Kennedy 23-0 at Edgewood Veterans Stadium to capture the Salsa Bowl title. The victory marked the first win of the 2026 season for Memorial, while Kennedy dropped to 0-4.

Why it matters

The decisive victory provides a significant boost for Memorial as they climb out of the early-season standings. The loss leaves Kennedy searching for their first win after a difficult start to the year.

Memorial won 23-0, fueled by a 30-yard field goal and three separate touchdowns spanning 8, 29, and 24 yards. The team improved their season standing to 1-3, while Kennedy remains winless at 0-4.

The players

Roel Neira

He is a football player for Memorial who contributed an 8-yard rushing touchdown to the team's victory.

Josiah Rodriguez

He is a quarterback for Memorial who threw a 29-yard touchdown pass during the Salsa Bowl.

Anthony Grant

He is a receiver for Memorial who caught a 29-yard touchdown pass in the game against Kennedy.

German Gallardo

He is a player for Memorial who scored a 24-yard rushing touchdown during the late stages of the game.

The details

Memorial utilized a diverse offensive attack that included a 29-yard touchdown pass from Josiah Rodriguez to Anthony Grant and rushing scores from Roel Neira and German Gallardo. A strong defensive performance also saw the team force a critical turnover on downs in the red zone during the second half.

The Salsa Bowl game took place on September 18, 2026.
Memorial kicked a 30-yard field goal with 1:55 remaining in the first quarter.
German Gallardo scored a 24-yard rushing touchdown with 2:39 remaining in the game.

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Season Trajectory

This win marks a crucial shift for Memorial, moving the team out of the winless column as they aim to stabilize their standing in the district. Conversely, the result deepens the rebuild for Kennedy as they look to correct their 0-4 start.

Memorial improves their district standing by securing their first win of the campaign. Kennedy will need to address significant red-zone defensive lapses if they hope to snap their current 0-4 losing streak.

The takeaway

Consistent offensive execution and red-zone defensive stops proved to be the difference for Memorial. Success in rivalry games often hinges on minimizing penalties and capitalizing on turnovers, lessons that will remain critical for both teams as the season continues.