Sophomore German Gallardo leads Memorial to victory over Kennedy in Salsa Bowl

Memorial Minutemen secured a dominant 23-0 victory over John F. Kennedy Rockets in the Salsa Bowl at Edgewood Veterans Stadium on Friday, September 18, 2026. This win reignited the long-standing rivalry between the two schools, which had been dominated by the Rockets in recent years. Memorial head coach Ruben Davila emphasized the significance of the win, stating that it marked the first time in a while that the Minutemen had claimed the victory.

The team's effort, pride, and culture were key factors in their success. Kennedy struggled early on, fumbling on their opening drive which led to a 3-0 lead for Memorial. Sophomore quarterback German Gallardo played a crucial role in the game, connecting with senior Josiah Rodriguez for a 57-yard gain and later scoring on an 8-yard run after he exited the game due to injury.

Despite Kennedy's persistent offensive pressure, Memorial's defense held firm, forcing turnovers and refusing to concede an offensive touchdown. With two minutes remaining in the game, Gallardo made a clutch 24-yard rushing touchdown that sealed the win for Memorial. The victory was particularly emotional for Gallardo, who had come up short in the last two years and wanted to give his former teammates a memorable win to cherish.