Robbie Haines (far right) and the Apache defense shut down the high powered Mustangs
By Duane Barker
(Pasadena) The Arcadia Apaches scored three unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter and cruised to a 42-7 win over the hosting Muir Mustangs Friday night to open Pacific League play.
Arcadia got two touchdowns each from Taylor Lagace and Robby Haines to lead the way and Rodney Arnett and Brian Ponce also added scores. Myles Carr did plenty of damage through the air hitting on 14 of 21 passes for 192-yards and four touchdowns.
The ominous skies over Horrell Field seemed to forecast the fate the Mustangs. The Apache defense enveloped the Muir offense holding the high powered Mustang offense scoreless. The lone Muir touchdown came on a 97-yard kick off return from Kevon Seymour.
Arcadia went up 7-0 early in the opening period when a short punt left them in great field position at the Muir 36. Three plays later Carr hit Lagace over the middle for his first score of the evening. It was the ensuing kick off where Seymour did his damage
With 8:09 left in the second quarter Arcadia took back the lead on a 27-yard strike from Carr to Haines. The score was set up by an Alex McElwee interception that he returned deep into Mustang territory.
The 14-7 score held for the remainder of the first half as Muir’s only other offensive threat was a missed 42-yard field goal attempt from Jorge Castro.
The Apache scoring barrage began with just over seven minutes left in the third quarter. Facing a fourth and 14 from the Mustang 29, Carr scrambled and ran 15-yards for the first down. Arnett did the rest racing in from 14-yards away.
It was only a few minutes later when Lagace got his second score of the night. Lagace fielded a punt on his own 20, worked his way through the Muir defense and outraced the Mustangs to paydirt.
The final scores were put on the board on a 25-yard strike from Carr to Haines and then a 13-yard pitch and catch from Carr to Ponce.
The Mustangs searched but found no answers for the Arcadia scores as the Apache defense did a stellar job holding the high powered Muir offense in check all night.
After the game Apache Head Coach Jon Dimalante commented on his teams performance. “It was a team effort. They performed at a very high level and I was extremely proud of their effort. I’ve played them (Muir) a long time and have the utmost respect for their program. It’s never been this one-sided for us, ever. Our defense shut them out only giving up the kick off return.”
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