By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Walking off the football field late Friday night, Maranatha coach Steve Bogan said (his quarterback) Kwon Peterson has to be considered one of the best quarterbacks in the Pasadena area. There is no doubt about that. Peterson threw for 5 more touchdowns on Friday to lead Maranatha to a 42-7 […]
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Walking off the football field late Friday night, Maranatha coach Steve Bogan said (his quarterback) Kwon Peterson has to be considered one of the best quarterbacks in the Pasadena area.
There is no doubt about that.
Peterson threw for 5 more touchdowns on Friday to lead Maranatha to a 42-7 victory over visiting Azusa.
Peterson threw for just under 300 yards and already has 12 TD passes in the first three games of the season, and has been picked just twice.
His official numbers: 17 of 27 for 292 yards, 5 TD passes and 1 interception.
More importantly, Maranatha (3-0) already has as many wins as it did for all of 2016.
MHS did what they do best, they scored early and often, and held off a third straight opponent.
This third blowout in a row had some encouraging signs that the first two may have lacked.
First, Chandler Auguste filled in for the suspended Awan Parker (ejected from the Pasadena game) and the senior knew he needed to make plays.
Auguste caught three passes for 83 yards, including two TD passes of 3 and 42 yards from Peterson.
Secondly, the Minutemen saw five different players score TD’s on Friday.
Lastly, something both Peterson and Bogan have been concerned about was taking their foot off the pedal once they garnered a solid lead.
And while there was a slow patch in the second half, Maranatha closed strong to the delight of their quarterback and head coach.
Zack McClendon had an outstanding night with over 120 yards of total offense, which included a 16-yard TD pass from Peterson in the fourth quarter.
McClendon had over 60 yards rushing and receiving.
Isaac Fields caught an 11-yard scoring strike for MHS.
Jacob Moreno, one of the smallest kids on the field, continues to make arguably the biggest impact.
Moreno does not come off the field and that’s the way he likes it.
He had three catches for 65 yards and another 25-plus on the ground, as well as yardage on punt returns.
He caught a 35-yard TD from Peterson to get MHS out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Not everything was perfect, though.
Peterson did throw one pick, the special teams gave up an 84-yard kickoff return for a TD to Azusa’s Ronin Miller and for one series, the exchange was sloppy between Peterson and his center.
But Bogan and his boys will work on that between now and next week’s Homecoming game against Campbell Hall.
James Smith’s 5-yard TD run gave Maranatha a 42-7 lead with 3:45 to play and it started the automatic clock for when a team has a 35-point lead or better in the fourth quarter.
Quotable:
Maranatha coach Steve Bogan: “We had five guys who made plays (touchdowns). (Kwon) extends plays and when things go wrong, he’s able to turn it into plays for us. Jacob Moreno is pure football. It’s exciting to watch him play. Chandler earned some more snaps next week and he makes us more versatile.”
Maranatha quarterback Kwon Peterson: “We were very happy to finish strong. My line is giving me the time I need to do my job. Jacob brings energy and has the biggest heart I have ever seen.”
Maranatha receiver Chandler Auguste: “I was blessed to have the opportunity to step up in (Awan’s) place. This was my time to show what I can do. I was really excited. I can’t even tell you how I felt.”
Maranatha receiver Zack McClendon: “We gelled well tonight. The difference between this year and last year is we’re more of a family. We gel more on and off the field and it shows. It feels exciting to be 3-0.”
Maranatha receiver-running back Jacob Moreno: “We had a physical adrenaline and played hard. I feel like I have to work 10 times harder on the field. I love being in on every play in the game. Teams can’t take us lightly and key on just one guy.”
Box Score:
Azusa: 0-7-0-0-(7)
Maranatha: 14-7-7-14-(42)
Scoring:
M: Chandler Auguste 3 pass from Kwon Peterson (Jacob Kefalas kick)
M: Jacob Moreno 35 pass from Kwon Peterson (Jacob Kefalas kick)
M: Isaac Fields 11 pass from Kwon Peterson (Jacob Kefalas kick)
A: Ronin Miller 84 kickoff return (Jason Garcia kick)
M: Chandler Auguste 42 pass from Kwon Peterson (Jacob Kefalas kick)
M: Zack McClendon 16 pass from Kwon Peterson (Jacob Kefalas kick)
M: James Smith 5 run (Jacob Kefalas kick)
Records:
Azusa (1-1); Maranatha (3-0)
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