And so, the wait continues.
South Pasadena High’s postseason hopes came to an end Friday night.
Looking to finally put years of CIF-Southern Section semifinal football heartbreak behind them, the Tigers instead saw history repeat itself, as they fell to Valley View of Moreno Valley on the road, 28-21 in overtime, one step short of the title game.
Pursuing their first CIF championship in 50 years, the Tigers couldn’t quite get across the finish line, ending their season at the semifinal level for the fourth time in five years.
Though the chance to play for it all slipped away, South Pasadena, one of the stronger football programs in the San Gabriel Valley, can reflect on a solid campaign, one that overcame its share of obstacles, giving the Tigers plenty of hope and resolve to put themselves in a position to get back in the same place next year and finally make the breakthrough.
Following the contest, Tigers’ coach Jeff Chi told to his players assembled in front of him to keep their heads held up high and to be proud of their accomplishments over the course of a 13 game season.
“Always cherish these special moments and not to take them for granted,” was Chi’s message. “And not to worry about the things we can’t control but focus on what we can control.”
After a scoreless first quarter on a cool, crisp night – 51 degrees at kickoff – Valley View was first on the board, as Eagles quarterback Jesse Vega went 35 yards on the ground to put the Eagles up by seven early in the second quarter.
With four minutes left in the period, the Tigers tied it on a 1-yard run by Trey Freking as the two teams were locked in a 7-7 tie at halftime. Freking’s score was setup by a 40-yard run by Toshio Matsuoka, taking the ball down to the Valley View six. Minutes later, like he’s been doing all season, Freking, the Tigers’ go-to running back, was in the endzone with his 27th touchdown of the season.
South Pasadena recovered a Valley View fumble at their own 45 to open the third quarter but missed an opportunity and were forced to punt.
But not long after, the situation turned back in the Tigers’ favor when Jasper Heathfield recovered a fumble deep in Eagles territory. Freking’s number was called again, picking up the final three yards for the TD and putting South Pasadena on top 14-7 with three minutes left in the period.
Vega connected on a 35-yard scoring pass to Alex Ramirez one minute into the fourth quarter, but the Tigers blocked the PAT, as they clung to a one-point lead, 14-13.
Once South Pasadena got the ball back, Rick Matsuda had a long gain on the ground, setting up Freking, who ran the ball in from 20 yards out, giving the Tigers an eight-point cushion, 21-13, at the seven-minute mark of the fourth quarter.
But there was no quit in the Eagles as Vega brought them back, scoring on a 1-yard run with three minutes remaining in the contest and tying it up when he found Mychael Johnson through the air for a two-point conversion, knotting it at 21-21.
In the closing minute, the Tigers got the ball down to the Eagles 42, helped by a long pass to Grayson Ebner, but were forced to punt, the clock eventually running out in regulation, setting up overtime.
In the college-style extended play, Valley View got the ball first at South Pasadena’s 25-yard line. The Eagles worked the ball down to the Tigers’ 15, but a holding call moved the ball back 10 yards.
Soon Vega was using his legs to pick up key yardage and his arm came into play as he hit Scott Baldwin on a 15-yard pass in the endzone, and the Eagles were in front 28-21 after making the PAT.
It was now the Tigers turn with the ball, and after runs by Matsuda and Freking, they worked the ball down to the Valley View 3, only to get a false start penalty, backing up the ball to the Eagles’ 8.
A pass over the middle on third down fell incomplete, setting up fourth down with the Tigers’ season on the line. The next pass also down the middle, bouncing around off three players and was finally knocked down, ending the Tigers season and CIF title hopes, Valley View celebrating a 28-21 semifinal victory.
The Tigers closed out the season at 8-5 and will look back on a six-game winning streak that turned around their season following a 2-4 non-league start.
South Pasadena’s playoff run featured victories over San Marcos of Santa Barbara, 42-7, in the first round, and Palmdale, 40-7, in the quarterfinals, sparking a belief that this just might be the team to end the half-century drought.
The Tigers haven’t claimed a CIF title since 1975 – and the wait will stretch at least another year when Chi hopes to put his club in the same position – and beyond.
With the win, Valley View improved to 8-5 and advanced to face Baldwin Park, a 27-14 winner over Western Christian in the other Division 11 semifinal.
“Our players worked so hard and dedicated themselves to this program, and their work ethic took them to where they are today,” said Chi, reflecting on the long campaign. “I’m very proud of their commitment and performance throughout the season. They believed in themselves and in their teammates. This team was made up of very special individuals and their accomplishments shows how special they are. I will always remember this season with fond memories.”
