Football concludes 2015 campaign with loss to Glendora

By Ryan Nakamura

Staff Writer

The 2015 football season has exhibited both triumph and heartache for South Pasadena, as the Tigers’ CIF journey ended at Citrus College against Glendora High School by a score of 34-0.

The team’s determination never ceased against the Tartans, with South Pasadena converting the same amount of first downs as Glendora at 16. Junior quarterbackAdam Arellano debuted as a starter for the Tigers, and accounted for 132 of the Tigers’ 218 total yards. The Tiger defense held the Glendora offense to 286 yards. However, the Tigers were outplayed from the beginning, and fell to the Tartans 34-0.

The Tigers began their 2015 season when they closed out a perfect 5-0 preseason record. The team brought this intensity to their first Rio Hondo League matchup against La Cañada High School on Color Day, October 9. Players and coaching staff gained confidence from the 36-0 rout against the Spartans, with senior wide receiver Max Luck contributing four touchdowns against the Spartans.

“This whole [season] happened because we’re a family, and if we didn’t have that we would’ve lost every single game,” senior middle linebacker Anthony Bakhshi said.

Following a 48-0 victory against the Blair Vikings, South Pas suffered its first loss after a 35-0 defeat to powerhouse San Marino on Homecoming night. The biggest loss that night came when Luck went down with a serious leg injury, ending his season. Because of this, South Pasadena needed to revamp their offensive strategies heading into the final game of the season after their second defeat at Monrovia High School 49-6.

The opportunity of qualifying for playoffs for the first time in 12 years lifted the Tigers past Temple City in a 14-12 thriller, solidifying the team’s third place league ranking and
playoff berth.

“These guys, I think, reflect a step taken forward; it’s gotta start somewhere in the program,” head football coach CB Richards said. “The hard work the players put in the weight rooms in the morning and the after school practices have made us more disciplined to make smart decisions on the field; if we keep doing so, we can build into something really good for the future.”

The Tigers’ playoff campaign, although short-lived, proved South Pasadena has what it takes to make it back next year. With a record of 8-3 overall and 3-2 league, South Pas football is confident in their future.

“[For next year’s team], I hope to see them take it all next year,” senior running backJason Takarabe said. “They definitely have the potential to be contenders in future seasons.”