By Rich Whittington
(La Canada) The La Canada Spartans proved that they were up to a challenge Friday evening, as they held on to defeat the visiting Crescenta Valley Falcons, 45-42, in a game that featured quick strikes, sustained drives, and a massive serving of excitement.
La Canada opened the scoring for the evening moving the ball 66-yards on the game’s opening possession, before settling for a 20-yard Royce Xiao field goal. This made the score 3-0, with 9:21 remaining in the game’s opening period. Ironically, this would complete the scoring in the first quarter of play.
Crescenta Valley got on the board early in the second quarter, as quarterback Jacob Deno found
the end zone on a 10-yard blast. The point after was added by Vallejo Miles, giving the Falcons a 7-3 lead, with 10:38 remaining in the game’s opening half.
CV’s lead was short lived, as the Spartans returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards, courtesy of Corey Cheung, as well as the successful kick by Xaio, giving La Canada a 10-7 lead with 10:15 remaining in the half. La Canada added two more touchdowns prior to halftime. The first coming when Macky Plocher connected with Trent Carey for a 32–yard catch and run.
Plocher also found Cayden Klein for a 22-yard score. The addition of two Xaio extra points made the score 24-7, La
Canada, as the first half came to a close.
Crescenta Valley opened the scoring in the second half. Andranik Saryan scored on a 60-yard TD run making the score 24-14, early in the third quarter.
La Canada answered, as Plocher scored on a 10-yard run. Xiao added another extra point
making the score 31-14, with 2:49 on the clock.
The final score of the stanza belonged to Crescenta Valley as Shade Schaefer scored on a 10-yard touchdown run. Miles added another extra point making the score 31-21, La Canada, as the third came to a close.
The final period of the contest can be described in one of two ways: either it was a superior display of offensive fire power, or it was the result of the defensive units deciding that three quarters of football was enough for one evening. Either way, five additional touchdowns were scored. The Falcons added the first score, on an 11-yard run.
La Canada answered, as Cheung scored on an 80-yard run. CV responded, as Deno found Bjorn Hermansen for a 63-yard TD reception. La Canada replied with a Plocher to Anthony Venneri score. Crescenta Valley scored the final TD of the evening when Deno found paydirt on a 1-yard run. In the end the final score was 45-42, La Canada.
La Canada’s next contest is on September 30 when the 3-2 Spartans will open Rio Hondo League play by hosting the San Marino Titans. Crescenta Valley’s next challenge is on September 22 when the Falcons host the Calabasas Coyotes. Kickoff for both of these games is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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