MidValleySports.Com

By Rich Whittington

(San Marino) – The Franklin Panthers might have arrived at San Marino High School a few minutes later than usual Friday evening, but they came to play, defeating the host Titans by a score of 28-24.

The game started out a bit slow, with both teams punting on their first possession. However, this trend did not last long. San Marino got on the scoreboard with their second possession, when Miles Morning tossed a 36-yard scoring pass to Chase Mena. The PAT was successfully converted by Nick Acuna, giving the Titans the lead, 7-0, with 6:23 remaining in the opening quarter.

Franklin closed the gap later in the period, when Kennedy Cleveland intercepted San Marino’s Parker Wilson, and returned it 18 yards for the score. The PAT was unsuccessful, making the score 7-6, at the end of the first period.

The Panthers took the lead in the second quarter when quarterback Albert Cardenas connected with Jayden Steele for a 10-yard score. The 2-Point PAT, a pass from Cardenas to Cleveland, was also successful, making the score 14-7, with 5:54 remaining in the opening half. San Marino cut the lead to 4 points, when Acuna added a 32-yard Field Goal, making the score 14-10 at halftime.

Franklin widened the score in the third, when Cardenas found Steele for their second score of the evening, a 5-yard scoring toss. Steele successfully converted the 2-point PAT attempt, making the score 22-10.

The Panthers added another score on a 6-yard TD blast. This made the score 28-10. However, the Titans
refused to go away, adding a score of their own when Wilson found Mena for a 61-yard catch and run. After another Acuna PAT the score was 28-17, with 4:23 remaining in the third quarter.

San Marino cut the score even further, when linebacker Daniel Sullivan scooped up a Cardenas fumble and returned it 50 yards for the score to make it 28-24 as the third quarter ended.

In the fourth quarter five total possessions resulted in three punts and two turnovers on downs.

Next up for the Titans is a home game against the Temple City Rams on October 10th which is San Marino’s Rio Hondo League opener. The Panthers next contest is next Friday when they will host the Wilson Mules to begin their Northern League schedule. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.