Winds started to pick up during the second quarter, blowing across the field.

The wind-rain mix wreaked havoc on both sidelines and players on the field, as there was nothing to see but the vast array of umbrellas spread throughout the home stands.

Jesse Likens provided a show through sideways rain. The 5-foot-9, 165-pound John F. Kennedy High School feature back has track speed in the spring, but translates it well to the field turf on weekends in the fall.

Warrensville Heights had more to deal with than the weather in Friday’s 39-20 JFK win in the opener for both teams.

Staff photo / R. Michael Semple

Kennedy’s Ambrose Hoso stops Warrensville Heights QB William Smith Jr. Friday at Mollenkopf Stadium.

The Eagles (1-0) were called for pass interference on a fourth-and-goal from the Kennedy 8 with 3:01 remaining in the second quarter. First down Tigers. A tipped pass from Warrensville Heights quarterback Nate Bledsoe (6-of-21 for 167 yards and two interceptions) ended in the hands of teammate William Smith Jr.

Warrensville Heights (0-1) trailed 13-6, but the Tigers had momentum. Well, they had it for a minute or two.

Likens, who qualified for the state track and field meet as a sprinter his sophomore year, took the kickoff at the 2. If the COVID-19 pandemic would not have wiped out all spring sports, he would’ve been one of the best Division III sprinters in the state this past spring at the state meet in Columbus.

He showed off that track speed to the Tigers as he was virtually untouchable in his 98-yard kickoff return with 2:40 before intermission.

“I’ve got to give credit to (special teams) coach (Danny) Stella,” Likens said. “We’ve been working on that for a long time. We know that special teams are a big part of the game. They went down and scored on us. That changed the momentum of the game. We kept going on after that.”

Staff photo / R. Michael Semple

Jesse Likens takes a handoff from JFK teammate Cameron Hollobaugh and looks for running room.

Kennedy took a 19-6 lead.

Cameron Hollobaugh, who had eight carries for 55 yards, had two of his three touchdowns to give JFK at 13-0 lead.

He had his own cheering section as someone with a megaphone in the JFK crowd was seemingly cheering Hollobaugh’s every highlight through their mask. Only family members of the players and coaches were allowed at the game due the precautions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rain and wind were more of a factor to the players on the field as there were a combined 12 fumbles — six for each team.

“It was a good game,” Hollobaugh said. “They weather was tough. We had to make sure we held on to the ball. We were pretty much able to get what we wanted on offense when we took care of the ball. It was tough out there.”

It only became rougher for a Warrensville Heights team that had to go to the dark northeast corner of the stadium for their halftime meeting.

Likens, an Air Force Academy commitment, found a gap in the Tigers’ defense and exposed it. This time, Likens ran 80 yards and socially distanced himself from two would-be Warresnville Heights tacklers at the Tigers’ 30 for a 26-6 lead with 4:35 left in the third quarter.

“Jesse is a kid who has, in my opinion, world-class speed,” said JFK coach Dominic Prologo, who earned his first win as the Eagles coach. “He knows how to use it. The Air Force Academy doesn’t come get you unless you’re good. He proved that tonight.”

Likens is happy to help his team in any way possible.

“No one is ever going to catch me,” said Likens, who had 14 carries for 133 yards. “That’s what I have to think. That’s the way it worked. That’s what happened.

“I’m happy about that. One more thing to help my team out.”

The combination of Likens and Hollobaugh combined to lead Kennedy with 32 carries for 199 yards.

“Our offensive line had a helluva a game,” said Prologo, whose team hosts St. Thomas Aquinas on Sept. 5. “Obviously, those two take advantage of their abilities. Cam stirs the drink. Jesse, with his speed, is a game breaker. When our offensive line does what they do tonight, those two have the opportunity to do what they do tonight.”

Kennedy held Warrensville Heights to 26 carries for 27 yards — including three losses for minus-33 yards.

“I’m really excited for our kids,” Prologo said. “They worked really hard this summer. They put in the time. They put in the effort. It showed tonight by being able to come out and play up in divisions. That’s a Warrensville Heights team that does a really good job.

“Our kids answered the bell. That’s all we can ask them to do. I’m really proud of our kids.”

Rain. Wind. It didn’t slow down these Eagles during Friday’s opener.

“It’s rough,” Hollobaugh said. “It’s football. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”