First published in the Sept. 24 print issue of the South Pasadena Review.
In its final non-league matchup, the South Pasadena High School varsity football team dominated visiting Alhambra with an impressive 45-27 victory last week.
It was the second time in three games the Tigers (2-3 record) managed to produce 40 or more points on the board, leading to a victory.
The South Pas offense accumulated 575 total yards on the Alhambra (1-3 record) defense, with the rushing attack accounting for 413 of those total yards.
Senior running back Jack Riffle led the Tigers with 205 rushing yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. Senior Alex Gonzalez carried the ball eight times for 72 yards while sophomore teammates Lionelle Limqueco, Jason Hong and Devin Robinson combined for 105 rushing yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.
Senior quarterback Noah Aragon rushed three times for 19 yards and a touchdown and completed 10 of his 13 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown.
On the receiving end of Aragon’s touchdown pass was junior wideout Richard Conti, who totaled three catches for 46 yards.
Junior Jackson Freking contributed four catches for 32 yards and completed one pass to freshman James Dowd, who rumbled 25 yards down the field for a touchdown.
On the defensive side of things, it was Hong who led the team in total tackles with nine (five solo, two for a loss) and intercepted a pass on Alhambra’s opening drive of the game.
Sophomore teammate Luke Riffle totaled eight tackles (four solo) and Robinson added five of his own.
Junior placekicker Aidan Kinney was perfect on special teams, converting all six of his PATs and a 24-yard field goal.
The Tigers will have some momentum heading into league play as the team hits the road to take on Temple City High School (0-4 record) at 7 p.m. tonight.
