By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor If you were within a 20-mile radius of Pasadena on Friday night around 9:30, you very well could have heard a collective sigh of relief from 3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. La Salle was 0-12 heading into its Angelus League showdown with visiting St. Paul. This time, though, it was […]
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
If you were within a 20-mile radius of Pasadena on Friday night around 9:30, you very well could have heard a collective sigh of relief from 3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.
La Salle was 0-12 heading into its Angelus League showdown with visiting St. Paul.
This time, though, it was the Lancers who clutched up when they needed to most.
La Salle was competitive in losses this year to league powers Cathedral and St. Francis, but a lack of discipline and poor special teams play cost them.
Ironically enough, one of the game’s biggest plays came on special teams, and this time around, it was La Salle who benefited.
Leading 16-14 with just over two minutes to play, the St. Paul (3-5, 1-2) defense and La Salle penalties were driving the Lancers offense backwards.
It looked very likely that the Swordsmen were going to get the ball in La Salle territory, and with the knowledge that a field goal would continue the Lancers league misery.
And who else to make a huge play but star running back Amon Milliner?
Milliner took over the punting duties this week and booted a 50-yarder that kept St. Paul on the other side of the 50-yard line.
Jake Rose, Myles Cecil and the entire defense went on to insure that this time things were going to be different.
And they did it with a swarming defense that allowed nothing on the final drive.
There were plenty of things coach Russell Gordon and the Lancers would have liked a chance to do over again on Friday night, including far too many penalties.
But let’s stick to the positive in this historic victory.
First, defensive end, Myles Cecil is as good and intelligent as he is tough.
Cecil played on a very sore leg and yet no player on either side of the ball did more to impact the opposing offense than did Cecil with his two sacks and handfull of tackles.
Next, Harrison MacDonald had four catches for 90 yards, and it was his 66-yard catch and run to the St. Paul 5-yard line that set up AJ Akobian’s short TD run.
That score turned out to be the game winner.
Then comes Amon Milliner, and while his numbers aren’t Milliner-like in terms of eye-popping, he still had 138 yards and a 46-yard TD.
But again, it was his punt that in many ways saved another Lancers league loss.
Jake Rose made a huge tackle for loss on the St. Paul final drive.
Tommy Radle had a clutch third-down catch that extended a drive.
Johnny Clarizio made a 40-yard field goal and his kickoffs were as solid as they’d been all year.
He sent many to the end zone, which eliminated St. Paul from making a potential big play.
Jake Caan would be the first to tell you his two interceptions were not advantageous, but Caan made some timely passes when the Lancers needed a first down.
Anthony Fajardo picked up a fumble to help thwart a Swordsmen drive.
La Salle can finally put the thought of winning a first Angelus League game out of its head, and concentrate on visiting Harvard-Westlake (3-5 overall, 0-3 in league) next week.
The Lancers will go in as favorites against a Wolverines team that has been outscored 141-42 in league games alone.
La Salle has a good chance to make the playoffs, and if they get that bid, there is no telling how far they can go, especially considering how their tough regular-season schedule will have tested the Lancers in any battle a Division 9 team could throw at them.
But for now, congratulations to La Salle High School, coach Russell Gordon, his staff, his players and especially his 22 seniors that have shed their blood, sweat and tears for three years.
Those seniors include: Wyatt Cimino, Myles Bailey, Sean Davis, Amon Milliner, Rjay Wagner, Anthony Fajardo, Jake Caan, Tommy Radle, Johnny Clarizio, Harrison MacDonald, Tyler Henderson, AJ Akobian, Erin Flores, Jake Rose, Sammy Martinez, Carlos Rico, Myles Cecil, Ryan Sparks, Jimmy Brooks, Noel Beltran, JT Young and Elijah Griffin.
On to Harvard-Westlake…
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