South Pasadena High opened the 2018 football season with a convincing 35-14 win over visiting Mountain View.
South Pasadena took a 7-0 lead after the first quarter. The score was knotted 14-14 at halftime before the Tigers went out in front 21-14 after three periods. South Pas scored a pair of touchdowns in the final quarter to take control and pull away.
Tigers’ quarterback Samuel Luna-long had a solid outing in his first varsity start, hitting on five of 7 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns. He also carried on the ground from three yards out for another score.
On the receiving end of Luna-Long’s big night was Ivan Estrada, who hauled in three touchdowns passes, one for 27 yards at the 7:10 mark of the first quarter, a 65 yarder with 3:18 left in the third quarter and a final one of 34 yards with 11:54 left in the fourth period. Estrada also picked up 24 of South Pasadena’s 118 yards on the ground in the contest.
The Tigers picked up approximately 262 total yards in the contest, including kickoffs and punt returns.
South Pasadena’s defense was put to the test against Mountain View’s strong running game but came through with some big stops.
South Pasadena looks to improve on its 1-0 record next Friday night when it travels to play El Monte in a 7 p.m. contest.
El Monte was a 61-37 winner over Baldwin Park at home in the season opener for both teams.
Tom Ashby contributed to this story
2018 Schedule
Friday, Aug. 17, Mountain View
Friday, Aug. 24 at El Monte
Friday, August 31, Eastside
Friday, Sept. 7, at Arroyo in El Monte
Friday, Sept. 14, Alhambra
Friday, Sept. 21, Alhambra
Friday, Sept. 21, Eagle Rock
Friday, Sept. 28, at San Marino
Friday, Oct. 5, San Marino
Friday, Oct. 12, Temple City
Friday, Oct. 19, at La Canada