HS FOOT: Reseda is 5-0 but has not seen an opponent like Kennedy

Reseda High faces visiting Kennedy on Friday in a Valley Mission League football showdown, and the host Regents (5-0, 2-0) must find a way to stop Kennedy's Jonathan Williams, one of the Southland's hottest running backs.

Williams already has rushed for more than 1,000 yards, and he has three consecutive 250-yard performances, including 296 yards and two touchdowns last week in a win over Granada Hills.

Two years ago, Williams set a Kennedy single-game record with 341 yards, and he has come back strong after missing most of last season because of knee injury. The injury might have swayed Williams off the recruiting radar, but opponents know exactly who he is.

It helps that Kennedy has excellent blockers, including Albert Maffei, Estaban De Alva and junior Cristian Sotelo.

Reseda is undefeated but has beaten just one .500 opponent, while Kennedy has faced tougher competition, opening with losses to Servite and Palmdale; that's what makes the matchup so intriguing.

"I'm glad we played some tough teams. We knew what we were doing," Lambert said.