From Staff Reports: It was August 17 and La Salle senior CJ Rettig went to Arcadia High School to watch his school take on the Apaches in the 2018 football season opener. Just over a year ago, when the Lancers’ boys soccer program needed a goalie, some of the players convinced him to join the […]
From Staff Reports:
It was August 17 and La Salle senior CJ Rettig went to Arcadia High School to watch his school take on the Apaches in the 2018 football season opener.
Just over a year ago, when the Lancers’ boys soccer program needed a goalie, some of the players convinced him to join the team and Rettig excelled.
The 6-foot-3 senior is also the reigning Pasadena Sports Now Boys Volleyball Player of the Year, along with teammate and TCU student, Will Dalgarn.
Back to ‘week zero’ of this football season, though.
Arcadia hammered La Salle, 64-0, and in fact, the Apaches scored 50 points in one quarter.
So, when duty called again for the school he loves, Rettig answered the bell and two and a half weeks ago, he was the newest member of first-year coach Andrew Pankow’s team.
For those who aren’t fully aware, Pankow and his coaches inherited a program that had zero returning skilled (running backs, quarterbacks, receivers) players and there was no question this was going to be a challenging season.
And while Friday’s 48-7 loss at Westchester to fall to 0-4 doesn’t sound impressive, ask those in uniform or coaches polo shirts and they are making steps forward.
Rettig got his reps in Friday, and the numbers weren’t anywhere near what he’s capable or that he would find acceptable, but he loves the character and fight within the locker room and the coaches office.
Rettig threw for 54 yards and ran for 24, including a 12-yard TD in the third quarter.
Isaac Mora finished the drive with the extra-point.
Daniel Jose had 11 carries for 36 yards.
Marcus Powe caught two passes for 10 yards, Warren Fowler had one reception for 24 yards and Giovanni Butteri caught one pass for 19 yards.
La Salle’s schedule doesn’t get any easier next week either.
The Lancers will travel 75 miles to take on Apple Valley.
The Sun Devils (4-0) are coming off a 76-21 victory over Victor Valley, and their offense averages north of 50 points per game.
Quotable:
La Salle quarterback CJ Rettig: “I’m glad I decided to come out for football a few weeks ago. I’m also very appreciative that my teammates made me feel welcome from day one. It might not look like it from the outside, but we are making strides in the right direction and I have teammates and coaches who compete every day and on every play. We are all pulling in the same direction and I am proud to walk side by side with these guys.”
Box Score:
LS: 0-0-7-0-(7)
W: 21-14-7-6-(48)
Records: La Salle (0-4); Westchester (4-0)
Week Three Del Rey League Scores:
St. Paul 31, Birmingham 7
Westchester 48, La Salle 7
Harvard-Westlake 39, Burroughs 15
Long Beach Wilson 52, St. Anthony 14
St. Genevieve 57, San Bernardino 7
