L-R: Darius Perrantes, Awan Parker, Aryonis Harrison By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor There have been a lot of weeks in the 2017 football season that our seven Pasadena-area schools have combined to go 4-3 or 5-2. This week, only the Golden Knights earned a victory on the field, as Poly didn’t have to lift a […]
L-R: Darius Perrantes, Awan Parker, Aryonis Harrison
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
There have been a lot of weeks in the 2017 football season that our seven Pasadena-area schools have combined to go 4-3 or 5-2.
This week, only the Golden Knights earned a victory on the field, as Poly didn’t have to lift a finger after getting a forfeit over lowly Firebaugh.
As well as St. Francis played on their way to a 50-point victory over a Wolverines team that entered their game 7-1, Muir arguably had the second best effort of the week, even in a loss.
The Mustangs battled all night and fell just shy, 38-31, at first-place Burbank.
La Salle, Maranatha and Pasadena all lost league games by 20 points or more.
St. Francis (9-0 overall, 4-0 in league) had to guard against looking past Harvard-Westlake, because they were just one win away from setting up an Angelus League championship rematch with Cathedral.
It only took two plays before the writing on the wall became legible.
Elijah Washington took a Darius Perrantes pass in the flat 67 yards for a 7-0 lead, and the next possession, Perrantes connected with Gabriel Grbavac on a 21-yard score.
Grbavac added insult to injury to Harvard-Westlake, when he dropped his shoulder (and helmet) and knocked a Wolverines defensive back on his butt as he stood in between Grbavac and the end zone.
Perrantes had a much-needed breakout game.
The junior QB threw for 280 yards and four scores, and he rushed for a 67-yard TD in the 77-27 thumping of the Wolverines (7-2).
Greg Dulcich had another 100-plus yard receiving game, and the senior scored two TD’s.
Kevin Armstead had almost 80 yards rushing and two TD’s on just 7 carries.
Washington scored three times (two rushing) and went over the 100-yard mark on the ground.
Max Mota showed off his speed with a near-70 yard TD run, and Doyle Kane scored on a QB sneak when he replaced Perrantes late in the game.
The countdown is now officially on, as the Golden Knights have five days before the defending champions (Cathedral) come to La Canada with the Angelus League title on the line.
Muir (5-4, 3-3), despite a 38-31 loss to Burbank, had the second most impressive outing of the week.
The Bulldogs, a week prior, had knocked off previously unbeaten Crescenta Valley by 17 points.
Aryonis Harrison caught a 50-yard score from Brian Love, and he also had a 51-yard punt return for a TD.
Jonathan Stephens rushes for 111 yards, including a 76-yard TD.
Brian Love also hit Jalique Stephens for another score.
Muir will enter Friday’s ‘Turkey Tussle’ at the Rose Bowl against crosstown rival Pasadena as pretty heavy favorites.
” I felt our boys played with a tremendous amount of character and heart . I thought a lot of guys stepped up to give us a chance to win. Burbank deserves a ton of credit for making enough plays to win the game,” coach Antyone Sims said.
Maranatha (6-4, 1-2) closed out its regular-season schedule in a 53-32 loss at first-place Heritage Christian.
The Minutemen got a huge night from senior Awan Parker.
Parker had 6 receptions for 110 yards and two TD’s.
He wasn’t done.
Parker carried the ball 9 times for 161 yards, and had two more TD’s on the ground, including a 65-yard score.
Kwon Peterson completed 14 of 24 passes for 159 yards and two TD’s.
Maranatha will have this week off and then eagerly await next Sunday’s playoff pairings at 10 a.m. by the CIF Southern Section to see if their season will continue.
MHS doubled its win total from a season ago.
“Over the last two games, we have been able to get Awan more involved in both the rushing and passing game,” coach Steve Bogan said. “Hopefully we get a chance to see him continue that type thing in the playoffs. It has given our offense a dynamic wrinkle.”
La Salle (3-6, 1-3) started Friday night’s road Angelus League game at St. Paul walking uphill.
Chris Wilson (def end-tight end) was in sweat pants and running back Damian Curl was in a pair of shorts and with a walking boot on.
And the offensive line was having a hard time keeping the Swordsmen’ defensive front from pressuring and knocking CJ Montes’ passes down.
Montes did throw one score to Justin Lockhart, but the freshman was also picked off twice, and had at least four passes batted down.
St. Paul scored four of its five TD’s in the 34-9 victory on the ground.
La Salle travels to Harvard-Westlake this Friday, and with a win, the Lancers believe their postseason chances go up exponentially.
Pasadena (2-7, 2-4) fell, 39-13, at Arcadia.
PHS quarterback Randy Santellan threw a pair of TD’s, but the Bulldogs weren’t able to stay within striking distance of the Apaches.
Santellan hit Christian Lee on one score and his brother, Anthony, on the second.
The Bulldogs hope to play spoiler as they end their season Friday night at the Rose Bowl.
PHS takes on crosstown rival Muir in the Turkey Tussle at 7.
Muir’s chances of a postseason bid would be harmed if the Bulldogs pulled off the upset.
Poly (7-1-1, 2-0) found out earlier in the week that lowly Firebaugh was not going to show up Friday night for their scheduled Prep League contest.
With the victory by forfeit, the Panthers got most of the week off and will host Rio Hondo Prep Friday afternoon at 2:30 with the Prep League championship at stake.
The Panthers are looking to shore up their passing game to take a more balanced approach and game plan into the playoffs.
Poly hasn’t lost a game since Week 0 when Temple City surprised the Panthers, 20-7.
Week 9 Scores:
St. Francis 77, Harvard-Westlake 27
St. Paul 34, La Salle 9
Burbank 38, Muir 31
Heritage Christian 53, Maranatha 32
Arcadia 39, Pasadena 13
Poly won by forefit (Firebaugh)
Week 10 Schedule:
Rio Hondo Prep at Poly at 2:30
Cathedral at St. Francis at 7
Pasadena vs Muir at The Rose Bowl at 7
La Salle at Harvard-Westlake at 7
Maranatha at Heritage Christian at 7
South El Monte vs Marshall at Pasadena High at 7
Standings Through Oct. 27
Angelus League:
St. Francis (9-0 overall, 4-0 in league)
Cathedral (8-1, 4-0)
Harvard-Westlake (7-2, 2-2)
La Salle (3-6, 1-2)
St. Paul (3-6, 1-2)
Salesian (1-8, 0-4)
Mission Valley League:
Arroyo (10-0 overall, 6-0 in league)
South El Monte (8-, 4-1)
El Monte (5-4, 3-2)
Rosemead (3-6, 3-2)
Mountain View (4-5, 1-4)
Gabrielino (2-6, 0-4)
Marshall (1-7, 0-4)
Olympic League:
Heritage Christian (8-0 overall, 2-0 in league)
Valley Christian (7-2, 2-0)
Maranatha (6-4, 1-2)
Whittier Christian (3-6, 0-3)
Pacific League:
Burbank (7-2 overall, 6-0 in league)
Crescenta Valley (8-1, 5-1)
Arcadia (6-3, 5-1)
Muir (5-4, 3-3)
Burroughs (4-4, 3-3)
Pasadena (2-7, 2-4)
Glendale (2-7, 0-6)
Hoover (1-8, 0-6)
Prep League:
Poly (7-1-1 overall, 2-0 in league)
Rio Hondo Prep (6-2, 2-0)
Trinity Classical (2-7, 0-2)
Firebaugh (2-7, 0-2)
