MidValleySports.Com

By Rich Whittington

(San Marino) The San Marino Titans came back from a 17-7 halftime deficit, scoring 14 unanswered second half points, to defeat the visiting La Canada Spartans Friday evening, 21-17, at San Marino High School.

Everything seemed to be going the Spartans’ way, as they began the contest by assembling an 11-play, 89-yard scoring drive, ending with a 9-yard touchdown run by Running Back Lorenz Bayug.

The PAT was successfully converted by Kicker Quest Swan, making the score 7-0 at the 5:09 mark of the game’s opening quarter. La Canada added a long field goal before the end of the period, as Swan converted a successful 42-yard attempt. This made the score 10-0 at the end of the first quarter of play.

La Canada continued its scoring in the second quarter. Quarterback Mackey Plocher connected with Luke Raulli for a 72-yard scoring strike. Swan added his second PAT of the evening, making the score 17-0, with 5:48 remaining in the opening half.

San Marino got on the scoreboard just before halftime, in a very unorthodox style. Quarterback Coleman Morning, in an attempt to motivate his team, launched a 35-yard pass toward the end zone. The pass squirted off of the hands of the primary receiver, caromed off of a La Canada defender, and came to rest in the waiting hands of receiver Sid Danenhauer. The PAT was successfully converted by Chris Parwar, making the score 17-7 as the first half ended.

San Marino added their second score in the third quarter. Morning connected with Danenhauer for a second time, this one being a more conventional 10-yard scoring pass. Parwar added his second PAT of the evening, making the score 17-14 as the third quarter came to a close.

The Titans took the lead for good in the game’s final quarter. With 1:54 remaining in regulation, quarterback Parker Wilson connected with Tight End Nathan Yarahmadi for a 5-yard TD. Another successful Parwar PAT made the score 21-17, San Marino, as the game’s final bell sounded.

San Marino (6-1, 2-0 in Rio Hondo League play continues their league season next Thursday, as the Titans will play the Polytechnic Panthers at South Pasadena High School. La Canada (3-4, 1-1 in the Rio Hondo) will continue league play next Friday, as they host the Monrovia Wildcats. Kickoff for both contests is scheduled for 7:00 PM.