Tigers Lose for Second Time in Football

South Pasadena High now 2-2 after dropping a 21-7 contest to Golden Valley in non- league action Friday night at home.

September 13, 2024

PHOTO: Henk Friezer | The South Pasadenan | South Pasadena High, now 2-2, dropped a 21-7 contest to Golden Valley, out of Santa Clarita, Friday night. The Tigers are now is gearing up to play their final non-league game on the road September 20 against Alhambra. After a bye, the Tigers then host Pasadena Poly October 4 in the Rio Hondo League opener.

A two game winning streak came to an end Friday night as South Pasadena High came up short, falling to visiting Golden Valley 21-7 in non-league football action.

With the loss, the Tigers evened their record at 2-2 on the season while Golden Valley, out of Santa Clarita, remains unbeaten at 4-0.

The Tigers held a 7-0 advantage after the first quarter before Golden Valley scored twice in the second period, took a 14-7 halftime lead, and put seven more on the board in the third to close out the scoring.

South Pasadena scored on it first possession, taking little time to go score on a 26-yard scoring pass from quarterback Andrew Nott to Jordan Rodgers with about nine minutes left in the first quarter.

Grizzlies’ running back Jamison Torres busted through the Tigers’ defense on a long carry with about four minutes remaining in the second quarter, putting the ball at South Pasadena’s 25. From there, it didn’t take long for Golden Valley quarterback Brandon Contreras to find Anthony Seragusa on a 12-yard touchdown pass. The Tigers caught a break when the Grizzlies missed the extra point, South Pasadena holding a narrow 7-6 advantage with five minutes to go in the period.

With the ball now in the Tigers’ hands, Trey Freking found an opening on a long gain, taking the ball down to Golden Valley’s 35 with a minute to go before the half, but after an interception the Grizzlies took over at midfield. A Golden Valley completion put the ball at the Tigers’ 25, and soon after with 30 seconds on the clock Donnovan Anson went the final five yards for the score. Trailing by five, the Grizzlies opted to go for the 2-point conversion, Contreras finding his favorite target, Seragusa hauling it in to give the Grizzlies a 14-7 lead at the break.

Golden Valley took the second half kickoff, got a big effort out its ground game, ultimately scoring on a two-yard run by Torres, giving the visitors a two touchdown cushion, 21-7. South Pasadena answered, getting the ball down to the Grizzlies 30-yard line, David Ortega picking up key yardage in the drive, but the Tigers turned the ball over on downs with about two minutes to go in the period on an incomplete pass.

The Tigers didn’t help themselves when an errant pass was picked off by Golden Valley’s Jonah Garcia on the Grizzlies’ own 30 at the 9-minute mark of the fourth quarter, but eventually gave the ball back to South Pasadena on a punt.

A deep pass from Zachary Lee, now in at quarterback, to James Dowd, placing the ball at the Grizzlies’ 37, kept the Tigers hopes alive with two minutes to go in the game, but seconds later South Pasadena fumbled at its own 45, ending any comeback attempt.

“It was a tough one tonight,” said SPHS Athletic Director CB Richards. “We had our chances but just couldn’t capitalize when we need to. Five turnovers will always make it hard to stay in the game, and we missed a crucial opportunity to make it 21-14 that could have changed the momentum. But I’m proud of the way the team fought until the end. We’ll learn from this and comeback stronger.”

South Pasadena was shutout by Schurr 28-0 on the road in its season opener before turning away Arcadia (21-6), Crescenta Valley (29-23) leading up to the setback against the Grizzlies. On the other side, Golden Valley knocked off Westlake (19-14), Antelope Valley (41-6) and Lancaster (7-6) ahead of Friday’s victory over the Tigers.

Scorching temperatures that played havoc on Southland teams last week, forcing later practice sessions and game delays to allow the hot weather to cool for players, was not a factor in this one. It was a comfortable 72 degrees at kick off, unlike the 90 recorded for the start against Crescenta Valley. Earlier in the day, the city had reached a high of 108.

Looking ahead, South Pasadena now travels to Alhambra on September 20 for its final non-league game ahead of Rio Hondo League play. After a bye, Pasadena Poly comes to town on October 4 before the Tigers play rival San Marino on the road October 11. South Pasadena is home to face Monrovia and Temple City October 17 and 25, respectively, and heads for to Canada November 1 to wind up the regular season. All games start at 7 p.m.