Tigers Finally Break Through at Home Against T.C. (see Ed Smith interview)

South Pas finally turned the corner at home against TC

(South Pasadena) – When it comes to “do or die” situations for Temple City’s football program, the last place it ever wants to be after tonight is Ray Solari Stadium at South Pasadena. For the second consecutive season the Rams were in a position to get into the playoffs only to come up short, this time at the hands of the Tigers 27-17.

Going into the game Temple City had not lost to South Pasadena at Ray Solari Stadium in 34 years.

Conor Bednarski went 15 of 22 for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores were to Matthew Nelson who had a highlight reel night with 11 catches for 183 yards.

The dagger that knocked Temple City out of contention came with 8:43 in the fourth quarter down by 10 points when Nelson ran a wheel route on a play action pass from Bednarski for a 34-yard touchdown.

The Rams and Tigers both traded touchdowns early in the game. South Pasadena struck first blood on Nelson’s first score of the night on a 7-yard curl route that turned into a 36-yard touchdown reception.

Temple City answered right back on a steady dose of Joshua Simangunsong (29 carries for 163 yards) who carried the ball eight times on the 11-play drive. Simangunsong would score from four-yards out with 2:38 remaining left in the first quarter.

After getting good field position on its second drive of the game, the Rams would have to settle for a 40-yard field goal by Nick Palmer to take 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.

The Rams best opportunity to extend the lead midway through the second quarter ended when Mikal Quintanilla was intercepted by Sean Nang at the South Pasadena 41-yard line.

The turnover would be costly as the Tigers drove down the field on eight plays to take the lead with 2:21 remaining in the half. Patrick Martin (20 carries for 135 and two touchdowns) found the end zone from one-yard out.

Palmer had a shot to cut the lead at the break with a 47-yard field goal attempt that would fall just short.

Martin would score his second touchdown on an eight-yard touchdown with 3:18 remaining in the game.

Temple City had no quit in them late in the game when Quintanilla barreled over South Pasadena defenders to score on a 13-yard touchdown run.

Now the waiting begins for the Rams, Tigers and La Canada with the coin flip being done after the game on the assumption that La Canada fails to upset Monrovia allowing all teams to finish 4-2. The coin flip will determine the odd-team out with the remaining two teams deciding second place on head-to-head.

1 2 3 4 F
TEMPLE CITY 7 3 0 7 17
SOUTH PASADENA 7 7 0 13 27
SOUTH PASADENA Matt Nelson 36 pass from Conor Bednarski (Dominic Frescura)
TEMPLE CITY Joshua Simangunsong (Nick Palmer)
TEMPLE CITY Palmer 40-yard Field Goal
SOUTH PASADENA Patrick Martin 1 run (Frescura)
SOUTH PASADENA Nelson 34 pass from Bednarski (kick fail)
SOUTH PASADENA Martin 8 run (Frescura)
TEMPLE CITY Mikal Quintanilla 13 run (Palmer)

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