Story by Gavin Bartolome & Owen Hou
Staff Writers
Photos by Emiko Essmiller
Photography Editor
On Friday, Nov. 22, the South Pasadena Tigers fell short against the Silverado Hawks, losing 58-7 in their CIF Southern Section Division X Semi Final.
After driving three hours to meet the Hawks, the Tigers anxiously awaited their face-off. After the Tigers received the ball at their 45-yard line, their stubborn tenacity advanced them downfield, stopping at Silverado’s 29-yard line. However, too eager to notch a score, sophomore quarterback Andrew Nott threw an interception, giving the Hawks the ball at their 45-yard line. Silverado eventually scored two passing touchdowns. The sudden shift in situations quickly left the staggering Tigers trailing 13-0 at the end of the first quarter with possession of the ball at the Hawks’ 20-yard line.
Starting the second quarter, the Tigers closed the distance from the end zone for freshman tight end Jacob Yu to score an 8-yard rushing touchdown, lessening the Hawks’ lead 13-7 after junior kicker Nicholas Dragonas’ successful one-point conversion. The Hawks quickly rebounded, tearing through the Tigers’ defense and setting up a passing touchdown; the Tigers now hung 14 points behind at 20-7.
The Tigers, desperately fighting as the odds grew against them, played an aggressive offense. Senior wide receiver Jordan Rodgers received a deep pass to the Hawks’ 19-yard line but fell short of the end zone, turning possession over after a failed fourth down. Striking back, the Hawks made two successive touchdowns, widening the gap between the two teams’ scores as the Tigers trailed 32-7 to end the second quarter. The Hawks scored touchdowns on their next two possessions, setting the score 45-7 with the Tigers punting the ball back ending the third quarter.
Both teams set up solid defense during the fourth quarter, holding each other from the end zone. Then, the Hawks made a rushing touchdown with the score at 58-7, ending the game.
The Tigers had an outstanding season, going into the CIF Southern Section Division X Semi Finals with a 10-3 win-to-lose record. Placing first in the Rio Hondo League for the first time in over 50 years with several underclassmen returning, South Pasadena is poised to make a run for the league title next year.
