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For the second year in a row South Pasadena High’s football team’s quest for a CIF-Southern Section Division 11 title was stopped in the semifinals, this time against Bellflower High School.
The speedy Buccaneers, showcasing an unusual double-wing offense, vanquished the Tigers 34-21.
South Pasadena drew first blood as it marched down the field following the opening kickoff to take a 7-0 short-lived advantage, the only time it would have a lead in the game.
The Buccaneers returned the ensuing kick deep into Tiger territory and two plays later would even the score at 7. Later the Tigers were on the verge of taking the lead when Jason Hong fumbled at the goal line, the ball picked up by a Bellflower defender and returned for a score. The touchdown resulted in a 14-point turnaround.
The South Pasadena defense was unable to stop Bellflower’s running attack as Buccaneers moved the ball for large patches of yardage much of the game.
In the second half, the Tigers were driving for a potential score deep in Bellflower territory when once again the ball was fumbled stopping an apparent tying TD drive.
The game was also plagued by injuries to key Tiger players, most notably Hong who left with a banged up shoulder, but later returned to the game.
Late in the game, it appeared the Tigers would make a comeback but the lead was too big and not enough time was left on the clock.
A year ago, South Pasadena reached the CIF semifinals only to come up short, falling to host Montclair 28-21 in the final minute of play.
The Tigers concluded one of their most successful seasons in recent years this season after going 5-0 in the pre-season and losing narrowly to Monrovia and San Marino in Rio Hondo League play. With Friday night’s setback, South Pasadena finished the 2022 campaign with an impressive 10-3 mark.
