The first year for Kenny Kahn as head coach at El Cerrito High was marked by comebacks: The Gauchos stormed back from an 0-3 start by winning six of their final seven regular season games, and came from behind in two of those wins with late touchdowns.  But the No. 8 Gauchos could not muster another rally on Friday night, losing to the No. 9 Titans of Kennedy High 34-9 in El Cerrito. With the loss, the Gauchos were eliminated from the NCS Division III playoffs.

Gaucho player Malcolm Carson watches the final minutes of El Cerrito

“When you get to playoffs, you can’t play from behind,” Kahn said. “JFK of Fremont was able to show up and play with intensity, play with tenacity, play aggressively, where there were times where we looked timid.”

The chilly autumn night began strangely as the game was delayed about 30 minutes due to Kennedy arriving late; the Titans had fallen victim to the infamous Bay Area traffic.

But it was the Gauchos who were left out in the cold early, committing a multitude of penalties in the first half. Seven flags went against El Cerrito before halftime, compared to only one infraction for Kennedy. Despite the discrepancy, Kahn wasn’t crying foul at anyone but his own team.

“I’m not gonna’ blame the refs on that one – that’s mental mistakes,” he said.

Running back Jerrell Walker was the hero for the Titans in the first half, notching a key interception on defense seconds before halftime and scoring twice on offense. His first touchdown was a 2-yard run that put the Titans ahead 7-0.

El Cerrito answered with an unlikely touchdown run by quarterback Andre Williams, who turned a broken pass play into a 49-yard scramble. The quarterback ran from one sideline to the other without ever crossing the line of scrimmage, then reversed field yet again and found an open path down the sideline for the score. A missed extra point left the Gauchos trailing 7-6.

Kennedy was able to respond at the end of the half after Walker intercepted a pass with less than 30 seconds remaining. He then made sure the turnover paid off by catching a 38-yard touchdown pass with only 3.4 seconds left on the clock. The pass was nearly intercepted by a Gaucho defender, but the miss left Walker all alone for an easy score.

Although the offense stalled due to turning the ball over and penalties, the Gauchos found themselves trailing only 14-6 at the half. They seemed poised for a comeback in the third quarter when they emerged from the locker room and made a series of strong defensive plays.

“Where (Kennedy) got us initially was on just getting off the ball – just real quick get-offs,” said El Cerrito Defensive Coordinator Dan Shaughnessy. “And we were able to clamp that down by blitzing the backers.”

After forcing the Titans to punt on their first possession of the second half, the Gauchos used two 20-plus yard passes to set them up for the go-ahead score. But the Kennedy defense held, and the Gauchos settled for a 20-yard field goal to draw within 14-9 with 7:07 to go in the third quarter.

Although their defense continued to play well, turnovers doomed the Gauchos late in the game. The momentum swung in Kennedy’s favor when the Gauchos fumbled away a punt return at the end of the third quarter, setting the Titans up in good field position. They quickly took advantage of the turnover, scoring a third touchdown on a 3-yard run by Dane Dismuke to push the lead to 21-9.

The score would change again just three plays later when El Cerrito fumbled on its own 2-yard line. Dismuke added a second touchdown run less than two minutes after his first score and, despite a botched point-after attempt, the lead had swelled to 27-9.

“We’re human and we do make mistakes – unfortunately, those mistakes came out to be costly in the overall outcome of a football game,” Kahn said.

The Titans scored once more in the final minutes on a scramble by quarterback Trevor Damewood with the game already out of reach. That scramble capped a nine-and-a-half minute span in which the Titans racked up 20 unanswered points.

“We wanted to be even more aggressive (in the second half) and it just didn’t work out,” Shaughnessy said. “(Kennedy) didn’t have any situations where there was some guy late to get on the field, or too many guys in the huddle or anything like that.”

El Cerrito finishes the season at 6-5, a one-game improvement over its 5-5 campaign in 2007.

The Titans improve to 6-5 and will advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time in school history. The win also avenges a 52-14 first-round blowout the Titans suffered at the hands of the Gauchos in 2006.

“I’m satisfied with the game play of (the seniors), I just wish that these mental mistakes that we make could be minimized,” Kahn said. “We tried to stick with what we had and give everything that we had, but in the end, what can you do? One team comes on your field and shows you up.”

After the game, Kahn talked about his first year walking the sidelines for the Gauchos and the future of his departing seniors, whose high school football careers have come to a close.

“I think that there’s so much to be said about an 0-3 team that ended up making the playoffs, coming in second in the league,” Kahn said. “We have some guys who are going to do some tremendous things in this world… I love these kids to death, and I know that this isn’t the end of the road for the El Cerrito Gauchos, and this is not the end of the road for many of our seniors.”

BY MATT DURNING //

When Kenny Kahn played high school football in El Cerrito, he made a promise to himself and his coach.

“I told him when I graduated one of my goals was to come back and coach under him and learn as much as I could,” says Kahn, now 26, flashing a wide, toothy smile as he recollects. “He’s the reason I wanted to become a football coach.”

Today, walking across the El Cerrito High School football field amid a sea of his players’ green and white jerseys, Kahn, the youngest head coach in the history of ECHS football, has met that promise and much more.

Raised in neighboring Richmond, Calif., Kahn came up through the El Cerrito school system – Castro Elementary, Adams Middle School – and graduated from ECHS in 2000.

The former 275-pound offensive lineman then went on to UC Santa Cruz where he earned his bachelor degree in literature, creative writing and poetry. Determined to teach, he pursued his masters of education degree and received his certification to teach English.

Kahn returned to ECHS in the fall of 2006 to complete his student teaching internship and realize his dream of working under his former mentor and coach, George Austin.

“To be a good coach you need to be compassionate and you need to be able to relate to players,” says Austin, now the school’s athletic director, who appointed Kahn to the head coaching position this fall. “I think that comes through in Kenny’s interactions with young people – I can see it as he walks across campus.”

Since taking charge, Kahn has worked to establish a new team culture balancing playfulness with accountability and mutual respect among his players.

“In high school he was voted class clown,” says Kahn’s current offensive coordinator Joe McBride, who played quarterback on the ECHS team with Kahn in the late ’90s. “But he knows when to turn off the funny and get serious and the kids respect that. They love playing for him.”

Team captain Malcolm Carson, a senior, agrees.

“It’s easy to relate to him. He understands where we’re coming from and there are life lessons he can teach us outside of football,” Carson says. “He doesn’t let us get bigheaded. He keeps us in check.”

Being both a teacher and a coach, Kahn interacts with his players every day. When he learns about academic or disciplinary problems, he attempts to works closely with the other teachers to keep his students motivated and focused on school.

“Settling for mediocrity is unacceptable, particularly in a working class community like El Cerrito where our football team does greatly reflect the African-American male community,” says Kahn, the son of an African-American father and white Jewish mother.

“I want these guys to be the most successful individuals that they can be and not need football as their fallback plan. I want them to realize that football is just one of many labels or aspects of their lives that they can enjoy and be a part of. Grades come first.”

On the field, Kahn says his greatest challenge has been getting his young team to buy into his philosophy of selflessness.

“At the beginning of the season we were a really egocentric group of guys…our chemistry as a team was heavily compromised.”

And that compromise cost the Gauchos – the team started the season with three straight losses. But Kahn says he never lost faith. Slowly, he began to see an emotional shift in his players.

“These guys were able to put together some great game play and also not be selfish and be able to work together to meet a common goal.”

For his part, Kahn says he has learned how much his attitude affects his team’s successes and failures.

“I always need to remain a calm, collected individual who can always be the voice of reason, who can always give the players positive words, who can tell another coach that it’s okay, or say in a constructive way when we need to make some type of change or accommodation.”

“I have high expectations for each and every one of my players and I think that, as a result, they have a high expectation of me. Which means that they hope I’m going to lead them to greatness, or lead them to victory, or lead them to whatever type of win is available for us to obtain.”

Dan “Shag” Shaughnessy, a Bay Area high school football legend with 49 years of coaching experience, believes Kahn has what it takes to be a great coach.

“He’s a real forthright gentleman, and I think he carries a lot of qualities the kids respond to. He has a big heart for the kids, and he’s very honest with them. He’s going to do very well.”

Shaughnessy felt so strongly about Kahn’s potential that he accepted the coach’s offer to return to ECHS and join the staff as defensive coordinator.

Kahn himself wasn’t so confident.

“When I first started out this season, I said to myself if I could get one win – one win – I’d be a happy camper,” he says.

Now, with a record of 6-3 and only one regular season game remaining, Kahn is poised to accomplish something even his idol, George Austin, was never able to do – take the team to the playoffs in his first season as head coach.

“I’m just really happy and impressed with where my team is right now. I think the sky’s the limit for them,” says Kahn.

At the end of the day, all of Kahn’s hard work, his dedication to his students, is fundamentally about honoring his roots.

“Football in El Cerrito for a very long time was the focal point of what we were about in terms of our community’s culture,” Kahn says. “There was a time when I played where the entire stands were filled and people had to stand on the track to watch the game. I would like to get it back to that point where people want to come and see some great football at the high school level.”

For Kahn, a return to greatness starts with the right attitude.

“We have an old saying [at ECHS] called Gaucho Pride. For me Gaucho Pride means that I came from a great lineage of football excellence and I want to continue that and work hard every day to ensure that the excellence will continue on for many years after I’m here.”

When asked about his long-term plans, Kahn’s big, toothy grin returns.

“I want to stay here as long as I’m wanted,” he says with a laugh. “This city has a lot of great thing to offer me. It’s providing my employment, my housing. It’s providing all of the major things I need in order to live a sustainable lifestyle.”

The autumn sun has nearly set as the last few players leave the field and head back towards the locker room. Each boy extends a weary arm to shake the coach’s hand as they pass by.

Kahn looks pleased.

“I have a job and I’m giving back to my community. I’m a pretty content individual.”

BY MATT DURNING //

The rain poured down. A cold wind blew. The scoreboard even stopped working.

It wasn’t pretty, but the El Cerrito Gauchos manhandled the Richmond Oilers, 32-2, in a soggy, sloppy, grueling contest of force and determination on the first Saturday of November.

“The elements always change the chemistry of a football team,” said El Cerrito head coach Kenny Kahn after the game. “I was happy to see my team was able not only to keep their composure but also go out there and have some fun in the wet atmosphere.”

Wet would be an understatement. Following nearly 24 hours of a steady downpour prior to game time, by kick off the El Cerrito High football field looked more like a pond than a playing field. Within minutes, the stampede of players’ cleated feet had churned the once lush green surface into a barren, muddy swampland.

The messy field conditions forced both teams to become one-dimensional. The teams combined for only four pass attempts in what became an old-fashioned, smash mouth ground battle.

El Cerrito running back Reonte Reed, No. 8, got the scoring started in the first quarter with a 9-yard touchdown run. Kicker Jose Fuentes hit the extra point to make it 7-0.

On a second quarter drive that began well inside Richmond territory, four different players – Reed, Armoni Broussard, Lyonel Louis, and quarterback Andre Williams – each carried the ball for the Gauchos. The drive ended with an 8-yard touchdown run by Williams to put El Cerrito ahead 13-2 with roughly five minutes left in the half.

El Cerrito’s defense was equally dominant, limiting the Oilers to an anemic 29 yards of total offense and preventing them from scoring all together.

Richmond’s only points came on a safety in the first quarter when the Gaucho quarterback took an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone rather than risk a fumble.

Coach Kahn credited his defense with setting the tone for the entire team.

“Our defense is our anchor,” Kahn said. ““I really like starting out on defense because it helps to get our team pumped up and get aggressive. I have to give credit to both [defensive coordinator] Coach Shaughnessy and [defensive line] Coach Johnson for getting the right personnel, the right play calls. They know how to make it happen.”

The wet weather and muddy conditions made it extremely difficult for either team to hold onto the ball. With eight combined fumbles, the action on the field often resembled a rugby match more than a football game.

The most exciting turnover of the fist half occurred during a Richmond punt late in the second quarter.

Gaucho defender Jerry Smith, No. 45, broke through the Oiler line, blocked the kick, and ran it back 15 yards for a touchdown putting his team ahead 19-2.

“The first time they punted I was like an inch away from getting it,” said Smith. “The second time they punted I’m like, ‘forget it, I’m gonna go up and get it’. I hit the hole, next thing I know he [the kicker] hit me. I picked it up, ran for it, next thing I know I’m in the end zone.”

Gaucho players watch from the muddy sidelines

Unfortunately for Richmond, the second half only provided more of the same.

El Cerrito’s backup quarterback Byron Thomas, No. 84, completed one of the game’s only pass plays, a 24-yard pass to wide receiver Isaac Goins. Running back Armoni Broussard, No. 1, the game’s leading rusher with 76 yards on seven carries, finished the drive with a strong 11-yard touchdown run, expanding the Gaucho lead to 25-2.

Gaucho quarterback Andre “Bird” Williams made two of the game’s most impressive athletic plays on a single drive late in the third quarter.

First, he returned a punt 55 yards to the Richmond 15-yard line. Unable to move the ball further, the Gauchos decided to attempt a 37-yard field goal. Fuentes took the field and prepared to kick, Williams as his holder. But when the ball was snapped, Williams lost his grip and couldn’t get the ball set in time for Fuentes to kick.

“It slipped out of my hands when I tried to get it down,” Williams said. “After that I tried to make something happen. I saw the opening and I just ran with it. “

Williams ran backwards, then laterally across the field, to avoid the oncoming defenders. After turning the corner, he exploded up the sideline and passed the rest of the players as if they were in slow motion. Williams wasn’t tackled until he had crossed the goal line for the Gauchos’ fifth touchdown of the afternoon.

“It’s kind of unfair sometimes because Bird can run fast even in slippery weather like this,” Coach Kahn said after the game.

Williams attributed his remarkable performance to past experience playing in poor conditions.

“Since I was little, like eight years old, I’ve been playing in mud and dirt,” he said. “I’m pretty used to it.”

Fuentes hit the extra point to put the Gauchos on top 32-2, the game’s final score.

Throughout the game, four dedicated and upbeat cheerleaders supported the Gauchos from the first row of bleachers. In matching green and black tracksuits, winter hats, gloves, and holding umbrellas, they cheered in unison.

“Raise your hands, stomp your feet, snap your fingers, these Gauchos can’t be beat.”

Gaucho cheerleaders: wet but still upbeat.

Their steady encouragement seemed directed more at the loyal crowd of roughly 30 parents and friends huddled together under umbrellas and waterlogged blankets, bracing against the elements.

Back in the locker room after the game, Coach Kahn acknowledged the fans.

“They are a tremendous support system and players know that,” Kahn said. “Each and every player, when they come out, are looking – no matter how small the crowd is, we know they’re going to be loud and supportive and we as a football team really appreciate that.”

Today’s victory marks El Cerrito’s fifth consecutive win, after starting the season 0-3, and moves them into a tie with the Berkeley High Yellowjackets atop the Alameda-Contra Costa Athletic League (ACCAL) standings with a league record of 4-0.

When El Cerrito and Berkeley face off in the final game of the regular season on Nov. 14, the league title will likely be on the line.

BY FERNANDO GALLO//

The Gauchos took on the Alameda Hornets for their homecoming game on Oct. 10. See the action up close in this slideshow.

BY FERNANDO GALLO//

After a seesaw battle all night, El Cerrito High emerged victorious on a late touchdown for the second consecutive week, beating the Alameda Hornets 23-17 on Oct. 10.

After losing the lead in the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Isaac Goins connected with Kenneth Green for a 77-yard touchdown pass with less than five minutes remaining in the game. The long score put the Gauchos up 20-17. Kicker Jose Fuentes then put up a 49-yard field goal that barely cleared the crossbar and gave the Gauchos a 23-17 lead.

“Tonight they showed their true colors and they were able to maintain their composure and stay in the game, and not give up,” head coach Kenny Kahn said of his team.

A large crowd gathered at El Cerrito High’s campus to witness the homecoming matchup for the 3-3 Gauchos. The Gaucho offense had a hard time getting going in the first half, and the Hornets dominated time of possession before halftime.

<MULTIMEDIA: See a photo slide show of the Gauchos’ game against Alameda here>

Alameda scored on a touchdown run in the first quarter, which El Cerrito answered with a touchdown run of its own at the start of the second quarter. The end of the first half saw a flurry of turnovers, as the two teams combined for two interceptions and a fumbled punt return in the last 3:19 of the half.

Despite the erratic play of both offenses, the game was tied at seven a piece at the break and the El Cerrito defense withstood the large amount of time it stayed on the field.

“We’re a well-conditioned team,” Kahn said. “I was thoroughly impressed with our secondary, as usual.”

The Gauchos suffered a potentially devastating blow when starting quarterback Andre Williams was injured on a scramble in the second quarter. He was relegated to the sideline in the second half and Goins replaced him for the remainder of the game.

“We decided to keep (Williams) out, just in case,” Kahn said. “We put the game in the hands of our backup quarterback, Isaac Goins, and he played a terrific game tonight… he won it for Andre.”

Goins, who normally plays wide receiver and cornerback, played on both sides of the ball during the game and said he was nervous going in for the injured Williams.

“I had to step it up, but great job by the line,” Goins said.

The Gauchos played strong defense in the third quarter, limiting the Hornets to three points. Alameda had a 1st and goal inside the 10-yard line in the third quarter, but the Gauchos came up with a goal-line stand that forced the Hornets to settle for a field goal.

El Cerrito High's defense receives instruction during the Gauchos' game against Alameda. The defense held the Hornets to 10 second-half points.

“It was a huge stop,” Kahn said. “I want to definitely credit our defensive line.”

El Cerrito was able to retake the lead when it executed a 27-yard screen pass for a touchdown in the waning minutes of the quarter.

The score remained at 14-10 until the Gauchos fumbled a punt return deep in their own territory in the fourth quarter, which the Hornets recovered. The turnover resulted in a 5-yard touchdown run for Alameda that made the score 17-14.

Less than a minute later, Goins completed the go-ahead touchdown pass to Green to take back the lead for good.

“It was a designed curl, but then I ended up rolling out and then my receiver got open,” Goins said. “All I did was throw him the ball.”

With just minutes remaining in the game, the Gauchos faced a critical decision on a fourth down in Alameda territory: Attempt a long field goal to take a 6-point lead, or punt the ball and take their chances on defense. The coaching staff was divided over the options, with offensive coordinator Joe McBride wanting to punt and Kahn leaning towards kicking the field goal. Fuentes repaid Kahn for his confidence by splitting the uprights on a 49-yard try.

“I trust my kicker,” Kahn said. “He’s an amazing kicker, he’s fantastic.”

“(I) kind of disagreed but you know, he’s the head coach – he has the final say, so we went along with the field goal,” McBride said. “After he kicked the field goal, I went up to the coach and I said ‘Good call coach.’ A man always admits when he’s wrong.”

The Gauchos intercepted an Alameda pass with 1:16 remaining to cement their second consecutive league victory.

“Our defense was big, especially on that last drive when we knew that they had to pass,” Goins said. “We came up big and got that interception, and that was the game.”

Alameda drops to 1-5 with the loss, and is 1-1 in Contra Costa Athletic League play after beating Richmond High on Oct. 3.

El Cerrito remains undefeated in league play at 2-0, and its overall record is now 3-3. The Gauchos will next hit the road to face off against Hercules High School on Oct. 17.

<MULTIMEDIA: See a photo slide show of the Gauchos’ game against Alameda here>