The Salsa Bowl always matters for bragging rights between Kennedy and Memorial, but the 2026 edition also was an opportunity for each team to kickstart its season with both still searching for their first wins.
In a series long dominated by the Rockets, including a two-game win streak, the Minutemen breathed new life into the rivalry by shutting out Kennedy 23-0 on Friday at Edgewood Veterans Stadium.
“It means a lot,” Memorial head coach Ruben Davila said. “It’s been a while since we won this game, but just the effort, the pride and the joy that these boys have – the culture that we’re trying to change – I mean, everything we’re doing and everything that we’ve gotten to this point is trying to get this win.”
Kennedy (0-4) rushed 11 straight times on its opening drive, getting all the way down to the Memorial 18-yard line. But a fumble gave possession to the Minutemen, and they capitalized, notching a 30-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 1:55 remaining in the first quarter.
After a Rockets three-and-out, Memorial sophomore quarterback German Gallardo hit senior Josiah Rodriguez for a 57-yard gain. Two plays later, after Gallardo exited the game with an injury, senior running back Roel Neira punched in the score on an 8-yard run. A botched extra point kept Memorial’s lead at 9-0.
Kennedy’s offense continued to struggle on its next possession, only managing one first down before being forced to punt again. With Gallardo back in at QB, Memorial (1-3) picked up a pair of first downs and nearly scored on a busted coverage from the Rockets, but Gallardo couldn’t quite connect with senior Damian Garza near the end zone.
On the next play, the Minutemen dialed up a trick play – an end-around, double pass that saw senior Josiah Rodiguez launch a 29-yard passing touchdown to senior Anthony Grant, putting Memorial up 16-0 just before half.
The Minutemen’s opening possession of the second half stalled, and the Rockets blocked the ensuing punt, setting up Kennedy with premier field position. But the Memorial defense refused to budge and forced a turnover on downs deep in its own red zone.
“The defense showed out,” Davila said. “The main thing – we griped about it all week long – is just staying true to what we do and staying to what they do. We all have a job, and everybody did their job and it all came together.”
Leading by two possessions, Memorial hit the dagger late in the game on a stellar play from Gallardo. With 2:39 left on the clock, Gallardo scrambled to his right, straight into the arms of a defender. He spun out of the tackle and weaved his way through the Rockets’ defense for a 24-yard rushing score.
“They grabbed me, and I thought it was over,” Gallardo said. “But I thought to myself, ‘I have to do it for my brother’ because he would’ve always told me to never give up on a play. So I broke free, and I found an opening. I took and I scored.”
Gallardo’s scoring run sealed the win for the Minutemen, an emotional victory for both the players and Memorial fans. Though it’s Gallardo’s first season as a starter, he wanted to deliver this win for former teammates who had come up short the last two years.
“I wanted to give them something to cherish,” he said.
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This article originally published at Sophomore German Gallardo leads Memorial to victory over Kennedy in Salsa Bowl.
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