It’s time for the next level of South Pasadena High football as the Tigers hope to go even deeper in the CIF-Southern Section postseason this year when first round action gets underway Friday night.
Their first opponent will make its way all the way from Santa Barbara, on the road for about 110 miles, more than two hours, as South Pasadena faces San Marcos in a Division 11 contest starting at 7 p.m.
Every season the Tigers set four key goals to reach before it starts and, now they have a chance to lock-up all of them.
The first is to beat rival San Marino, and that was accomplished with a 30-22 victory in mid-September. Next is to get into the playoffs, either by capturing the Rio Hondo League title or finishing second. Securing the league crown is third, and finally ending a long campaign by hoisting a CIF trophy is the ultimate dream, making it the well-earned fourth.
A year ago, South Pasadena checked all the boxes but one, knocking off the Titans – their nemesis to the east – easily making the playoffs, grabbing the league title outright, before coming up short in CIF play, reaching the semi-finals or the doorstep to a championship, ending it all with an impressive 10-4 mark.
To get to the promised land this time around, Tigers’ coach Jeff Chi wants to put his club in the best position to win four straight games, play throughout the month of November, past Thanksgiving, on its way to a CIF crown.
The first test for South Pasadena begins Friday night against San Marcos, a formidable foe, which finished 4-6 overall, good enough for third place in the Tri County League with a 3-2 record.
“We need to execute on offense and rally to the ball on defense and not give up big plays,” said Tigers coach Jeff Chi when asked what it’s going to take to come up with a win over the visiting Royals. “On paper, they have some big players on the line, with a good running back and a receiver.”
That top rusher happens to be Cole Dominquez, who carried the ball 143 times over nine games for 871 yards, a 6.1-yard average and 13 touchdowns. Catching most of the passes for San Marcos has been Isaac Murillo, who made 31 catches for 275 yards, a 9.9-yard average and a trio of scores.
The Tigers will counter with plenty of firepower on its offensive side of the ball as Trey Freking comes into it with 1,301 yards in nine games to date on 204 carries for a 6.4-yard average and a whopping 19 touchdowns.
“Trey is a big part of our program, on and off the field,” said Chi. “He is such a well-balanced student athlete. On the field, his performance speaks for itself, and he inspires others to play as well because they know that Trey will pick up any slack, if there is any.”
And away from the gridiron?
“Off the field, he is involved with school ASB and maintaining an outstanding GPA,” praised the coach.
Quarterbacks Andrew Nott and Cody Robinson, both solid under center, will have an array of targets in the Tigers’ receiving arsenal as Lorenzo Jones leads the team in receptions with 24 catches for 304 yards and three TDs, followed by tight end Grayson Ebner with 22 for 434 and four scores, and Lorcan Swift with another 22 for 396 yards and six touchdowns.
“Offensively, our O-line and running back has produced much of the offensive production, and our passing game has kept the defense unbalanced with our exceptional receivers,” said Chi, recognizing the Tigers’ offensive front and Freking have much to do with what his team has accomplished up to this point. “Defensively, our D-line has improved so much that they have helped us with run stop and pass rush. Collectively, we also improved on our game speed, rallying to the ball, making good tackles and causing fumbles.”
It hasn’t been an easy road for South Pasadena to get back to the postseason, after taking on some stiff competition, weathering through a 2-4 non-league schedule ahead of a perfect 4-0 league slate.
Joining the Tigers in the CIF playoffs will be second place Rio Hondo League finisher La Cañada (9-0 overall, 3-1 in league), playing in Division 7, and Monrovia (7-3, 2-2), an at-large team, in Division 10.
Chi insists there won’t be any signs of rust as the Tigers, who haven’t played since October 24 when they pummeled Temple City on the road 48-6 in their final league game, take the field Friday night against San Marcos.
“No concern at all,” he said last Sunday. “We had a good week of practice, mixed with some relaxing fun time. The players were focused. We’re looking forward to the challenge of the CIF playoffs.”
