From Staff Reports: Pasadena’s football program is making major strides in the right direction. After consecutive season’s with a 2-8 record, the Bulldogs have already matched that output after a huge ‘week two’ win Friday night at Pioneer. Entering the game, the Titans had not allowed a single point through their first two games. And […]
From Staff Reports:
Pasadena’s football program is making major strides in the right direction.
After consecutive season’s with a 2-8 record, the Bulldogs have already matched that output after a huge ‘week two’ win Friday night at Pioneer.
Entering the game, the Titans had not allowed a single point through their first two games.
And to make the win even more satisfying, PHS scored a pair of TD’s in the final four minutes Friday night to earn a 30-28 road victory.
Andreas Solling is improving each week at quarterback, and he saved his best for last.
With less than four minutes to play, the 6-foot-3 senior found Jeremiah Hutchins from 15 yards out to give the Bulldogs a momentary lead.
The euphoria didn’t last long, as Pioneer ran the ensuing kick back for the score and reclaimed the lead.
Solling still had some bullets in the chamber and he connected with freshman Mekhi Fox on a 20-yard TD to go up 30-28 with less than a minute to play.
The drama still wasn’t over yet and the victory was anything but guaranteed.
That was until Nate Morris picked off the Pioneer quarterback with 45 seconds to play.
Solling finished 21 of 30 for 214 yards and two TD’s.
On the final two drives, Xavier Harris had a 50-yard reception and Akil Andrews connected with Solling on a 30-yard completion.
The PHS running game did its part and then some to keep the offense moving the chains.
In all, the Bulldogs gained 245 yards on the ground (33 combined carries), and it was led by Mekhi Fox’s 127 yards.
Akil Andrews carried the ball 20 times for 87 yards and a score.
Jeremiah Hutchins caught a team-best 11 passes for 70 yards and the fourth-quarter TD.
Fox had five receptions for a team-high 97 yards.
Nate Morris and Frank Coleman led the PHS defense with five tackles apiece.
Morris also had the game-clinching pick with less than 60 seconds to play.
Pasadena will have the next seven days off (from competition) for their bye week.
The Bulldogs will be back on the field on Friday, September 14, when they travel to Glendale to open Pacific League play.
Quotable:
PHS quarterback Andreas Solling: “It feels great to not only win, but to be the first PHS team since 2015 to win consecutive games. I’m proud to be part of what we have going and I’m a proud ‘dawg.’ It was an amazing win on Friday and getting to lead the team down the field and score within the last couple minutes of the fourth quarter was unlike any feeling I’ve ever had. We hope to keep the momentum and energy going forward into league play. We have so many guys who do their part in our success. It’s not only fun to win, but it means a lot knowing that we play hard for each other.”
Box Score:
Pasadena: 0-14-3-13-(30)
Pioneer: 7-7-0-14-(28)
Records: Pasadena (2-1); Pioneer (2-1)
Week Two Pacific League Scores:
PHS 30, Pioneer 28
Muir 29, Stellar Prep 6 (game called in third quarter after brawl)
Crescenta Valley 44, Montebello 26
Campbell Hall 41, Hoover 0
Canyon 50, Burroughs 20
Hart 31, Arcadia 27
** Glendale had its bye week.
Pacific League Standings Through September 1:
Crescenta Valley (3-0)
Muir (2-0)
Pasadena (2-1)
Burbank (1-1)
Arcadia (1-2)
Hoover (1-2)
Glendale (0-2)
Burroughs (0-2)
