.png)
South Pasadena High Scored for the first time in time in three games, putting up its only points in the final 33 seconds of the contest, but fell to Temple City Monday afternoon after it was postponed due to lightning last Friday night.
With the loss, South Pasadena is now 2-7 with one game to go against La Cañada (1-7) on the road Friday.
Running back Ivan Estrada scored in the final minute for the Tigers as South Pasadena held onto the ball for eight minutes minutes in the drive.
Temple City, which led 7-0 before the game was called with about over six minutes to go in the second period, scored twice more in the first half for all of its scoring.
South Pas held the Rams scoreless over the final two quarters. “I liked how our defense stepped it up in the second half,” said South Pasadena High coach Jeff Chi. “We had a stern talk at halftime.”
His words, loud at times, apparently were heard. The Tigers came up with some timely stops to put themselves in a position to score.
Logan Svihovee-McCarty, who credited his offense line for creating big holes, ran for 98 yards in the game on 22 carries for South Pasadena. Estrada added 27 more, packing the ball six times.
The Rams scored first on Friday night when Samuel Jackimowicz bulled over from 2-yards out. On Monday when action resumed following the postponement, Temple City wasted little time putting points on the board in the second quarter, scoring twice before the break.
With 2:58 left, Jackimowicz was back in the end zone on a 2-yard run up the middle to make it 14-0. Then with just eight seconds left before the half Rams quarterback Alex Vera hooked up with Daniel Centeno on a 46-yard scoring pass down the right side, giving the visitors a 21-point lead.
Chi liked the idea of ending the scoring drought after being shut out by Eagle Rock 68-0, 50-0 to rival San Marino and 41-0 against Monrovia before Temple City came to town Friday night and again on Monday.
“I’ve never been a part of a game where it ended with lightning like that,” said Chi of Friday’s postponement. “ it was a little strange, but they had to do it in the best interest of the players and fans.”
Despite their losing ways, Chi likes the way his club keeps battling week after week.“ These kids could have quit but never did,” he said. “We, as coaches, are asking them to give it their best effort Friday night against La Canada. I think we have a chance to beat those guys.”
