It’s a conversation starter. No game on the schedule is bigger. The memories of it last a lifetime.
South Pasadena High and San Marino square off for the 70th time in football Friday, and there’s nothing neighborly about this confrontation outside of the geography.
When the two teams get together, it’s the one game players will talk about forever.
“If one of our guys runs into one of theirs from San Marino and the game comes up, you’re going to hear something like ‘2024 football, that’s the year we beat you guys,’” said South Pasadena High coach Jeff Chi, who has been a part of many of them over the years. “It’s huge for the football programs and the players.”
It’s a deep and rich history between the two institutions dueling it out for the first time back in 1955, San Marino coming out on top in the inaugural outing 27-0. Each team has had their share of winning streaks throughout the years, but since 2014 – a 10-year span – the Titans have controlled the series, winning nine of those contests. South Pasadena last came out on top in 2021, 24-21. Always close battles in recent years, the last five games between the two teams have been decided by three points or less.
A year ago, South Pasadena and San Marino shared the Rio Hondo League title with Monrovia all with 4-1 records. The Tigers lone loss? You guessed it, to the Titans, their nemesis to east, dropping it 10-7.
Oh, and to add some additional spice, the game is played for not one, but two top prizes – The Plaque, going back years, and the relatively newer Crowley Cup, starting in 2010, remembering the late Paul Crowley, who never suited up for a game, nor did he even play football, but, boy, was he entrenched as a spectator, attending every game between the two teams, starting with the initial one all the way up to 2012, a string of 58 straight.
Chi, his players and coaches would like nothing more than to cut into San Marino’s overall series lead of 37-29-3 when the Titans host the next one, set for 7 p.m. kickoff Friday in San Marino. The Tigers come into it with a 4-2 overall record, including a lopsided 55-7 league season opening victory over Pasadena Poly last week. San Marino is 3-3 and coming off a 63-27 thrashing by Monrovia in its first league game.
“We just have to do a lot of things right to beat those guys,” said Chi. “It will take our best game of the year. Yeah, we’ve lost some close games in the last minute against them due to some unfortunate circumstances. We want to try to get ahead of them and not let anything get in the way.”
The Titans are getting the most out of senior quarterback Brady Beck who has thrown for 980 yards, completing 76 0f 136 passes to go along with his 10 touchdowns. Julian Solis leads the team in rushing with 383 yards on 79 carries and eight TDs through the six games. Next is Miles Morning with another 131 on 27 carries and one score. Beck likes to throw the ball around to five key receivers in Parker Wilson the leader with 21 catches for 234 yards, J.J. Wilson 21 for 207, Hunter Piccinini 11 for 216, Chase Mena 8 for 159 and Chris Parwar, another 8 for 119.
On defense, Chi knows slowing down defensive end Mitch Mooney and Morning, who also plays inside linebacker on defense, is key. They’re the team leaders in tackles and fly around the field disrupting offenses at every opportunity.
Chi insists winning the battle on the line of scrimmage, controlling Mooney and Morning is a must. “Those two guys really come at you,” Chi stressed.
South Pasadena, with plenty of firepower of its own, counters with a one-two rushing attack in Trey Freking, who has 501 yards on 90 carries and six touchdowns and David Ortega with another 487 on 64. David Eisenberg has come on of late adding 128 more on nine carries. James Dowd leads all Tigers receivers with 15 catches and one TD. Andrew Nott has gone most of the way at quarterback, and the sophomore is finding his way, completing 18 of 34 for 316 yards in five games he’s played.
“We have some players who are exceptionally quick and fast, so we’re going to have to take advantage of their ability and stretch out the field,” said Chi, looking for anything that might tip the outcome in his team’s direction.
He also hopes what was working so effectively last week comes around again against the Titans. South Pasadena had little trouble with Pasadena Poly, jumping out to a 27-7 lead at the half, adding 21 more in the third and seven in the fourth.
“I think the difference was us executing better in this game, limiting our mistakes, being productive on offense and being tough on defense,” Chi explained, noting he was able to unload his bench with a huge lead, allowing everyone to see action. “We did a good job of coming up with a game plan and executed it well, and we’ll need to do the same thing against San Marino.”
The only score in the game for Pasadena Poly came following an interception, giving the Panthers a short field and ultimately a two-yard run for a second quarter TD.
A home crowd was into from the start, as Ray Solari Stadium was filled to capacity, many decked out in the school’s orange and black colors, as it was Color Day, students coming to school wearing a variety of wild costumes. The day is traditionally held in connection to the team’s first home league football game, starting with a morning assembly inside the school’s gymnasium to kick off the excitement.
“I have to give our fans credit,” said Chi. “Every week it seems like they fill up the stadium and bring a lot of energy and fun.They have been great.”
Although the outcome was lopsided, Chi recognizes Pasadena Poly, lacking experience, will use games like it had against the Tigers to build on, and simply get better, saying: “Some of their young guys have a bright future.”
Impressive in the win was the Tigers’ defense, which continues to make its mark under coordinator John Morant. “Overall, the kids have been playing well,” said Chi of play on that side of the ball. “We’re really working hard to make teams earn their first downs and touchdowns, not give up big plays and play physical football.”
Along with Morant, South Pasadena has been able to keep much of its core coaching staff together over the years. “That’s huge for us,” said Chi, talking about offensive coordinator Jason Barnes, John Fonseca, Paul Hugasian, and newer member Nate Olsen, all steady contributors to the program.
“They have all been around the program and know what we’re all about,” added the coach. “They have that South Pasadena pride in knowing what’s best for our kids, program and our school. Knowing each other really well, we have complete faith in one another. And we bounce ideas back and forth. None of us have big enough egos saying that my way is the highway. We do what’s best for everybody. Having that kind of input within the program helps a lot.”
To illustrate their loyalty, both Morant and Barnes were coached by Chi when they were students playing for South Pasadena High.
After facing the Titans, South Pasadena is home for two games, taking on Monrovia on Thursday, October 17, and Temple City Friday, October 25, before going on the road against La Canada, on Friday, November 1, to end the regular season.
Yet, ahead of the final three games, all the focus for Chi’s squad is on what’s next on the slate – a big rematch with the Titans.
“We want to build on what we did last week against Poly and be ready to play some good football this week against San Marino,” said the coach. “Like they all seem to be, it looks like it’s going to be another good one.”
