Pasadena Follows The Fox Trail

Four Scores for Mekhi Fox

By Alex Gonzalez

Norwalk: Mekhi Fox scored four touchdowns against the La Mirada Matadors Friday night at Excelsior high school, leading the Pasadena Bulldogs to a 41-31 win in the second round CIF-SS Division 7 playoffs. 

“We fight. The defense did their job, and the offense scored points,” said Fox after the game. “We got the job done.”

With the speed of the Bulldog offense, Pasadena jumped ahead of La Mirada by scoring the game’s first 20 points to start the contest. 

On their first possession, Kaden Taylor picked apart the defense as they worked their way down the field. He then capped the nine-play drive by faking the pitch to walk into the end zone with 7:44 in the first quarter. 

Then after the Pasadena defensive back, Daylon Beasley picked off Nehuel Garcia’s pass to set up the Bulldogs in scoring territory, Taylor connected with Fox on the hitch, who took it in for the score. 

Thanks to their running game and tight end, Aiden Nasser, the Matadors were able to move the ball on their ensuing possession, but they fell short on a fourth-down, turning the ball over to Pasadena. 

Five plays later, Taylor and Fox connected again for the touchdown, this time for the 48 yards. After the missed point after the touchdown, the Bulldogs held a 20-0 lead with 7:33 left in the first half. 

La Mirada avoided the shutout by scoring 10 points within two minutes before the halftime buzzer. With the offense in the red zone, Garcia hooked up with Nasser on a fourth and long to give the Matadors their first touchdown of the night. Then just as the clock reached zero, Aidan Petruescu converted a 31-yard field goal. 

Following intermission, La Mirada started the third quarter with the ball, but as they were driving down the field, Edward Lafferne fumbled the ball and fell into the hands of Pasadena, who forced their third turnover of the night. 

Shortly after the change of possession, Taylor connected with Jason Sanford Jr, who was running the comeback, spun his way out of the tackle, and darted for pay dirt. 

After another three and out for the Matador offense, Fox received the punt and took it back to the house for a 55-yard score, giving the Bulldogs a 34-10 advantage less than two minutes to play in the third quarter. 

“I specialize in that. I got a knack for the end zone, and when I get it, I take it to the crib,” said Fox when talking about his punt return touchdown.  

La Mirada was able to build a little momentum following Pasadena’s special team score. Just before the third ended, Nasser hauled in his second touchdown of the night. 

Garcia faked the quarterback sneak and was able to find Nasser, who slipped behind the Bulldog defense, alone for the touchdown. After the two-point conversion was successful, the Matadors were still behind by 16 to start the final frame. 

Then, the La Mirada offense made it a 10-point ball game thanks to Nasser, who outmuscled his defender for his third touchdown of the night. 

The Bulldogs then sealed their win as they went for it on fourth and long when they executed the double reverse to Fox, who upped Pasadena’s lead to 41-24 with less than three minutes to play. 

The Matador offense scored the game’s final touchdown thanks to Garcia’s keeper, making the final score 41-31 after the point after attempt was good.

With the win, Pasadena will look to make a Division 7 finals appearance when they travel to Aquinas next Friday night. 

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