Dynamite defense and big plays sparked John F. Kennedy to a return performance at the Class 3A state semifinals by virtue of a 21-6 domination of O'Dea Friday night at Seattle's Memorial Stadium.

Nolan Washington ignited the Lancers immediately by returning the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown to start JFK on its way.

"This is another step toward a state title," said senior Nate Williams, who led the running attack with 134 yards on 22 carries, including a touchdown jaunt of 30 yards. "To take the first kickoff of the game to the house really set the tone."

Persuing its first state title game ticket, Kennedy (12-0) will play the winner of Saturday night's (after press time) Mount Si vs. Kamiakin game. If Mount Si won, the Lancers will play the Wildcats in the Tacoma Dome. If Kamiakin wins, then the Lancers must travel to Lampson Stadium in Kennewick.

The spectators at Memorial Stadium were still settling into their seats as Washington snared the opening kick at his 18-yard line, exploded through a huge hole on his left side and went completely untouched into the end zone.

O'Dea's Fighting Irish had to fight uphill against a dynamite Kennedy defense the rest of the way.

"I saw the holes open up and went untouched," said Washington. "The blocks were set up perfectly."

O'Dea fought back on a 66-yard drive culminated by Isaac Watson's 9-yard touchdown run.

Senior linebacker Marc Avery-Airhardt blocked the point after touchdown to keep the Lancers in the lead.

For the rest of the game, the Kennedy defense led by lineman Kevin Frietag and Mike Vigil, the Lancers controlled the line of scrimmage and gave up just 155 yards the rest of the game.

Three O'Dea turnovers, including defensive back Tre Watson's interception highlighted the doomsday defense.

Kennedy increased its lead to 14-6 late in the first quarter after recovering an O'Dea fumble.

Two players after recovering the loose ball, Kennedy scored a touchdown when Williams ran left and broke into the clear for 30 yards.

The Lancers' final big play touchdown came when quarterback Bobby Gentry scrambled left, broke a tackle at the 43-yard line and then sprinted into the end zone to give JFK a 21-6 advantage with just more than eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.

"Our defense really stepped up," said Williams, who sealed the deal with a pass interception with 1:11 left in the game. "We watched film on them and we knew their tendencies."

According to Lancer coach Bob Bourgette, "Any time you beat O'Dea it's a good win. This was a fantastic effort."