Spartans Defense Shuts Down Alhambra

La Canada HC Dan Yoder starts the season 1-0.(La Canada) – A stellar defensive performance by La Canada was the catalyst in 17-0 victory over Alhambra Thursday night.

The Spartans held the Moors to 72-yards in the second half and sacked Joshua Mendoza six times.

For the second consecutive week, the Moors went into the half allowing less than 70-yards of total offense and not surrendering a single point. Unfortunately for Alhambra is that the offense hasn’t managed to score in the first half.

“Do your job,” is all that La Canada head coach Dan Yoder said to his team at the half.  “I told them this is what we run and don’t be flustered by the pressure.”

Scott Gray finished strong for the Spartans going six of nine for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Daleep Sandhu closed the evening out with 109 yards. Sandhu was stymied in the first half with eight yards on the ground.

It was Sandhu’s work-horse effort on La Canada’s first possession of the second half with four carries for 42 yards that setup the first

Daleep Sandhu provided some much needed yards in the second half.

score of the game. Gray would score with 3:08 remaining in the third quarter from 15-yards out on a beautifully executed misdirection bootleg.

“We have been teasing him all off-season,” coach Yoder said about Gray replacing Rocky Moore.  “Everyone keeps asking me how we are going to replace Rocky. My answer has always been that we will establish the run with Scott because we have so much faith in his feet.”

Once the Spartans offense drew first blood, the defense continued to pressure the Moors offense. Alhambra appeared to be on the verge of breaking down the La Canada offense near the end of the third quarter as Joshua Mendoza found Demetrius Russell and James Martin on subsequent pass plays to get near the past midfield. The drive was prematurely stopped by Michael Arkfeld who intercepted Mendoza on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The Spartans took advantage of the turnover and put the game away with 6:37 to play as Gray found Arkfeld in the end zone on an 11-yard pass. The drive was highlighted by Bijan Arceo’s 16-yard reception from Gray.

The Moors had one final try to get the offense rolling only to see it thwarted by John Moon’s sack. The sack was La Canada’s sixth of the game.

ALHAMBRA         0          0          0          0            0

LA CANADA         0          0          7        10         17

SCORING – 1st Quarter – None

2nd Quarter – None

3rd Quarter – 3:08 Scott Gray 15 run (Stephen Hernandez kick)

4th Quarter – 6:37 Michael Arkfeld 11 pass from Gray (Hernandez kick)

1:22 Hernandez 31-yard field goal

Leave a Reply