From Top Clockwise: Anthony Santellan, Aryonis Harrison, Randy Santellan, Jonathan Stephens By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor It’s a fact that Muir has defeated Pasadena in 20 of the last 21 years in the annual crosstown showcase called the Turkey Tussle. The Mustangs and Bulldogs are set to kickoff their latest head-to-head showdown at 7 on […]
From Top Clockwise: Anthony Santellan, Aryonis Harrison, Randy Santellan, Jonathan Stephens
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
It’s a fact that Muir has defeated Pasadena in 20 of the last 21 years in the annual crosstown showcase called the Turkey Tussle.
The Mustangs and Bulldogs are set to kickoff their latest head-to-head showdown at 7 on Friday night at the Rose Bowl.
Muir (5-4 overall, 3-3) enters the game in fourth place and riding a wave of momentum and optimism after taking first-place Burbank to the wire last week.
Pasadena (2-7, 2-4) has just two wins this season so far, and they’re both against the bottom feeders of the Pacific League.
The Bulldogs defeated Hoover and Glendale, who are a combined 0-12 in Pacific League games and 3-15 overall.
In the two wins, PHS scored exactly 68 points in each of the two games.
So, while it may seem unlikely the Bulldogs will shock the Pasadena sports world, consider how many unlikely things have happened around us in the past 12 months or so.
First, the Chicago Cubs won their first World Series title in over 100 years.
Secondly, a man with no political or military experience was elected to the world’s most powerful position.
And last but not least, in a year that seemed tailor-made for the Dodgers first World Series crown in 30 years, the Houston Astros defied the odds and earned the franchise’s first championship, and despite LA having the home-field advantage.
So in some ways, crazier things have happened.
Pasadena will need a huge game from quarterback Randy Santellan if they are to upset their rivals.
Santellan has played well after returning from an injury and his offense is much more consistent than earlier in the season.
Santellan and twin brother Anthony have hooked up on PHS scores and Christian Lee has also been a TD target of Santellan.
Muir is much more balanced, though.
They are scoring through the air and on the ground.
Running back Jonathan Stephens has really come into his own in the last month, and is averaging north of 100 yards per game.
Brian Love has found receivers Aryonis Harrison, Caleb Snowden and John Freeman throughout the season.
Harrison has also been dynamic on special teams.
The Muir senior has two punt TD’s and another score on a kickoff return.
While we don’t give credence to the site “Calpreps,” just for fun we looked at the predictions they make each week.
The site has been pretty accurate in not only who wins games, but also unusually close on final scores.
Calpreps predicts Muir will win Friday night, and they’re also believe it will be a 35-20 margin.
But as any athlete, coach or fan with any intellect will tell you, the games are decided by athletes on the field, and not by some fat guy sitting in a basement.
And the coaches and players at Muir and Pasadena would have it no other way, nor is there a place like the Rose Bowl that they’d rather square off.
Quotable:
Muir coach Antyone Sims: “We would never take Pasadena lightly. They deserve our respect. Our key to victory is to be as balanced as possible on offense, and to minimize their big plays. We want to be playing our best football heading into the playoffs.”
Muir senior Aryonis Harrison: “I think that we have to come out knowing we can beat them , we just have that winning mentality which is something they don’t have over there . Also we have to go into the game like it’s just a normal game on our schedule and try not to do so much and be poised and to execute and capitalize on any mistakes made by PHS.”
Pasadena senior Randy Santellan: “We have to play a disciplined football game, and we have to take advantage of opportunities when we get them. If we play with intensity and every player on the field does their jobs, we’ll have put ourselves in position to win the game.”
By The Numbers:
Wins: PHS 2; Muir 5
Points Scored: 262; Muir 307
Points Against: PHS 302; Muir 149
Most Points Allowed: PHS 48 vs Crescenta Valley: Muir 38 vs Burbank/Crescenta Valley
Most Points: PHS 68 vs Glendale, Hoover; Muir 55 vs Glendale
Maxpreps State Rankings: PHS 608; Muir 388
2017 Pasadena Schedule-Results:
August 24: Buena Park 31, Pasadena 25
September 1: Maranatha 36, Pasadena
September 8: St. Francis 42, Pasadena 0
September 22: Burroughs 45, Pasadena 34
September 29: Pasadena 68, Glendale 13
October 6: Crescenta Valley 48, Pasadena 33
October 12: Burbank 42, Pasadena 0
October 20: Pasadena 68, Hoover 6
October 27: Arcadia 39, Pasadena 13
November 3: Pasadena vs Muir at the Rose Bowl at 7
2017 Muir Schedule-Results:
August 25: Muir 38, Compton 0
September 1: Muir 48, Desert Oasis 0
September 15: La Salle 21, Muir 20
September 22: Arcadia 35, Muir 19
September 29: Crescenta Valley 38, Muir 8
October 6: Muir 48, Hoover 0
October 13: Muir 55, Glendale 0
October 20: Muir 40, Burroughs 17
October 27: Burbank 38, Muir 31
November 3: Pasadena vs Muir at the Rose Bowl at 7
Pacific League Standings:
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)
Most Recent Turkey Tussle Scores:
2016: Muir 18, Pasadena 6
2015: Pasadena 13, Muir 6
2014: Muir 24, Pasadena 17
2013: Muir 32, Pasadena 21
2012: Muir 37, Pasadena 7
2011: Muir 14, Pasadena 6
2010: Muir 63, Pasadena 6
2009: Muir 34, Pasadena 12
2008: Muir 13, Pasadena 0
2007: Muir 13, Pasadena 9
