Oh, what a difference a win makes.
South Pasadena High’s football team is suddenly on the upswing with a renewed sense of energy, restored vigor, and a boost of confidence.
The Tigers seemed to have suddenly found their footing at the midway point of the regular season, coming away with a much-needed 42-35 non-league victory over visiting Franklin of Los Angeles Friday night, ending a two-game losing streak.
At 2-3, South Pasadena can now look to evening its overall record after its final preseason game against West Covina next week ahead of a demanding Rio Hondo League schedule, which begins at Monrovia on October 3.
With the loss, Franklin — a heavy favorite going in — drops to 3-1 as it looks to play San Marino on September 26 in its final non-league tune-up.
It was a big night for South Pasadena’s offensive line, which created huge running lanes for Tigers’ running back Trey Freking, who rushed for a whopping 290 yards on 42 carries and four touchdowns. Doing the math, that’s nearly seven yards per carry.
It has been an up-and-down season for the Tigers, who were pounded in their opener by El Segundo 62-34, before routing Arcadia 55-16 in week two, the first of three games on the road. Other setbacks came at Crescenta Valley, 42-21, and Golden Valley, 34-13, before South Pasadena, playing in front of a home crowd for the first time in a month Friday, turned away Franklin in stunning fashion.
It’s a major momentum builder, giving coach Jeff Chi’s team plenty of hope as the Tigers prepare to play West Covina in a rare Thursday game, September 25, on the road before the league campaign gets underway, sending South Pasadena — the defending league champs — to battle an undefeated Wildcat team, now 5-0. Monrovia handed Baldwin Park a 35-14 loss on Friday.
The league season continues from there with two home dates, the first against La Cañada on October 10, followed by rival San Marino on October 17. The Tigers close it out by traveling to Temple City October 24.
