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The Pasadena High football team have found themselves in a rare position for the program in recent history and they are the favorites to win the Pacific League. The Bulldogs are not only ready to accept this, but to exceed expectations. They are warning the rest of the league with a 46-0 loss to Crescenta Valley on Thursday night in the league’s opener.
“We are on the right track to stay focused and win the league,” Pasadena coach Dejuan Shamburger said. “It wasn’t done… I don’t even remember when Pasadena High won the league on his own. This is our mission at the moment. One down and four to go.
@PasHSBulldogs celebrating 1-0 in the Pacific League game. @SGVNSports @James_Escarcega pic.twitter.com/NdtvOhBc1U
– Donald Morrison (@BruinDonaldRuns) October 1, 2021
Pasadena (4-2, 1-0) dominated on both sides of the ball. It’s hard to say which side was more in control. The offense easily scored touchdowns on its first five possessions, but the defense forced four turnovers, scored touchdowns on two interception returns and held Crescenta Valley (1-4, 0-1) to just 108 yards. overall, even though the Falcons controlled pre-game possession time went to a fourth quarter clock.
“We knew (Crescenta Valley) didn’t want our attack on the pitch and they were going to keep chasing the ball,” Shamburger said. “The defense must have intensified and it has ramped up.”
The defense stepped in early to set the tone. The Falcons had the ball in midfield during game opener possession when quarterback Matias Pineda stepped back to pass and threw over the midfield where Jason Sanford recovered the ball and traveled 57 yards on the sideline for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead start.
“When I caught the ball I was tripping so I hoped I wouldn’t drop it,” Sanford said. “When I grabbed it I went on and saw some green grass and thought I was going to score.”
It was his first touchdown. Sanford scored his second touchdown early in the second quarter, but it was offensive. He jumped to the back of the end zone and caught the ball for a score and a 13-0 lead in Pasadena. It was the first of his two receptions for 44 yards.
Bulldogs wide receiver Mekhi Fox entered the game as one of the state’s top receivers with 750 yards in five games. He only caught one pass that game, but it was a spectacular effort that led to a touchdown in the second quarter.
Fox screened pass and escaped a tackle on the left side of the pitch before running behind the line of scrimmage on the right side where he passed Falcon defenders and escaped a final tackle attempt on the 8-yard line en route to a dazzling 36-yard touchdown reception that gave Pasadena a 19-0 lead.
Pasadena quarterback Kaden Taylor threw two more touchdown passes. One was Idrique Carmichael for a 25-yard scoreline late in the second quarter that gave Pasadena a 27-0 lead. The other came in the third quarter when Jasun Ridley caught a 6-yard pass to give Pasadena a 34-0 lead.
Taylor finished the game completing 9 of 11 passes for 175 yards. He was replaced by Hype Grand who threw a touchdown in the third quarter to Jamir Allen.
The Pasadena defense finished the scoring when Gabriel Solorzano managed a pass attempt on the screen and traveled 20 yards to the end zone.
With the win dominating, Shamburger said he didn’t want his team to get too arrogant.
“We’re going to play game by game,” he said. “We’re not going to go out and think we’re favorites. We have to take care of what we have to do and it’s game by game.
Pasadena will face Burroughs next week and while the team is focused on winning the league, they are still having fun.
Sanford said he was hoping to get donuts for his two touchdowns and because the defense had a shutout.
“He got a defensive touchdown and an offensive touchdown so he said he felt he needed donuts,” Shamburger said with a smile.
Shamburger was asked if Sanford would get them.
“I don’t know,” he laughed.
Final scores of the zone Thursday
San Gabriel 42, Montebello 28
Rosemead 50, mountain view 8
Schurr 37, Bell Gardens 12
Ganesh 35, Bassett 26
Walnut 35, Wilson 19
Pasadena 46, Crescenta Valley 0
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