MidValleySports.Com

Kevon Seymour made the big play that help decide the outcome.

By Andy Villanueva

(Pasadena) – Since 1995 the “Victory Bell” has been located on the Westside of Pasadena and for a brief moment on Thursday night it appeared to be making an address change to the campus on Sierra Madre Blvd.

The moving vans were never needed as Muir came out in the second half and took control of the “Turkey Tussle” with a 14-6 win to help muddle the Pacific League in the process.

Kevon Seymour finally scored on the storied ground of the Rose Bowl with an electrifying 56-yard pass reception in which he split two Bulldog defenders enroute to the end zone for the game-clinching touchdown.

The score came two plays after Mustangs linebacker Mark Samuels stepped in front of Pasadena’s Brandon Cox pass at the Muir 15-yard line.

It was the third time the Bulldogs came up empty inside the redzone in the game.

The first quarter looked like a prize-fight with each time sizing the other up during its opening drives. Pasadena came out quickly looking for the knockout blow early as they established the run with Cleo Bates.

The Bulldogs drove to the Mustangs 10-yard line before stalling. The 27-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Denzel Talifero and Samuels to keep the scoreboard blank.

Riian Simpson provided Pasadena’s only moment with incredible 57-yard punt return for a touchdown to break the 0-0 deadlock midway through the second quarter.

Muir tried to answer after the score by methodically driving to the Pasadena 5-yard line before a penalty and tough defense stymied the drive. Simpson came up big one-on-one with Seymour on a fade route as he was able defend the play and not allow a touchdown.

The Mustangs offense came out in the second half and played keep away from the high-powered Bulldogs offense by running the ball 11 times on the 18-play drive. After sitting out most of the first half, Joshua Washington came in and ran the offense to near perfection on the drive that resulted in his one-yard touchdown dive for the go-ahead score.

Cox tried mightily to get Pasadena back in the game in the fourth quarter down by eight. Unfortunately for him, he was sacked and then Talifero picked him off at the Muir 45-yard line.

Cox finished the night 8-of-14 for 124 yards. Bates ran for 31 yards in the game.

The defense for the Mustangs came up big in the second half by allowing just 29 total yards to help secure the win.