1. GREMLIN FLAG

La Cañada Gladiators v. Glendora Tartans

(Teams do not keep score)

The La Cañada Gladiators Jr. Gremlins visited the Glendora Tartans on Saturday Oct. 14 in the morning at Louie Pompeii Memorial Sports Park.

The Gladiators took the field on defense, holding the Tartans to a quick turnover on downs. The Gladiators followed with a few drives in which they moved the ball, but failed to score. In particular, Gladiators’ quarterback Phoenix Vengco was able to hit receiver Christopher Spears on a few long pass plays of 10 and 15 yards, and Gladiator running backs Christian (“CJ”) Mattmann and Cole Richards were able to advance the ball running for five and seven yards respectively, but the team was not able to get the ball in the end zone.

Midway through the second quarter, the Gladiators caught a break. A double move along the left side led to Spears catching a long 40-yard touchdown pass from Vengco to put the Gladiators on the board entering halftime. The Gladiators came out in the third quarter motivated on offense and were able to score quickly on a halfback option pass from Laurence Kerkonian to Spears on a 20-yard pass that Spears turned into a long touchdown with an impressive run.

The Gladiators closed out the scoring in the fourth quarter with a long touchdown run on a sweep alongside the left hash marks by Kerkonian.

The La Cañada defense was zealous, pulling flags when it counted. In particular, pulls from Brendan Smith, Izaac Rodriguez, David (“Tre”) LaFond and Vengco kept the Tartans and their running game on its heels. A timely interception from Spears and great cornerback play from Luke Shumaker, Mattmann and Isaiah Garcia kept the Tartans from getting anything going through the air.

The offensive/defensive line including Dixon Womack, Kerkonian, Maddox Vengco, Henry Vartanian, Rodriguez, LaFond, Leo Ortiz, and Maclean (“Mackie”) O’Brien all contributed greatly to the team’s success.

The Gladiator Jr. Gremlins’ next game is against La Puente on Saturday, Oct. 21 at at 11:30 a.m. at 15615 E. Nelson Ave., La Puente.

Gremlins

La Cañada 18 – Glendora Tartans 12

No Report Received

Jr. Pee Wee

La Cañada 44 – Glendora Tartans 0

The La Cañada Junior Pee Wee Gladiators clinched a playoff berth on Saturday, Oct. 14, at Louie Pompeii Memorial Sports Park in Glendora by thrashing the host Glendora Tartans 44-0. In the process, the Gladiators extended their unbeaten streak to six and wins-by-shutout to four. The Gladiators now sit atop the Baseline Division with a record of 6-0.

The Gladiators dominated in all aspects of the game, outgaining the Tartans 363 yards to 42. Standout performances for the day included quarterback Wyatt Becker, who averaged 17 yards a carry and ran for two touchdowns on the ground, and threw for 71 yards in the air, completing an electrifying 55-yard touchdown pass to Michael Liggins in the second quarter. In addition, tight end Jason Nelson had a breakout game, catching three passes from Becker and co-quarterback David Mysza. Cornerback Izziah Alzaga also shone with two tackles and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown, only to be nullified by a Gladiator penalty. On offense Alzaga had a long run of 22-yards that almost broke for another score. The Gladiators’ standout kicker Jaiden Espadas also scored eight points on extra point attempts.

La Cañada’s offensive line, as they’ve done all season, dominated the trenches, pounding out 224 yards of rushing and again providing perfect protection for Gladiator quarterbacks Becker and Mysza with no sacks allowed. The offensive line was anchored by centers Julian Vartanian and Luke Cullen, guards Gray Cucullu, David O’Connor, Joe Martinez, David Galaviz, Dominick Cozza and Thomas Sorensen, tackles Sedrik Jiminez, Michael Shahinian, Ricky Guerrero, and Noah Zarate, and tight ends Nelson, Sebastian Pascuzzo, Timmy O’Brien, Espadas and Smith.

La Cañada kept the Tartan defense on its heels, spreading the ball between six different running backs. The Gladiator ground game was led by fullback Jacob Lopez who, as he’s done all season, led the team in carries. Lopez had 12 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown. Fullback Nevada Miller had seven carries for 23 yards. Touchdowns were also scored by quarterbacks Becker and Mysza, and wingback Levi Griffin who had the longest run of the day – a 39-yard bolt for a long touchdown in the third quarter. Other backs contributing to the Gladiator ground attack were Jake Arellano and Teddy Gocke.

The defense was paced by middle linebacker Scottie Smith who led the team with nine tackles and two assists, and defensive tackle Luke Cullen who had three tackles and two assists, one for a loss. Particular credit for the shutout goes to the Gladiators defensive backs and linebackers, who shut down Glendora’s passing attack. Stymied on the ground, the Tartans tried their luck with an unusually persistent passing attack – throwing 16 passes when the previous five La Cañada opponents had only averaged five attempts per game. The Tartans were only partially effective, unable to complete the long ball due to the excellent play of safeties Levi Griffin, Calix Jamerson, and Becker, cornerbacks Liggins, Alzaga, Jake Arellano, Will Nyhan, and Teddy Gocke, and linebackers Smith, Nevada Miller, Jacob Lopez, and Cullen. The Tartans resorted to the short passing game, mustering only 66 yards on 8 completions.

The Gladiators finish out Baseline Conference play when they face the La Puente Warriors at La Puente City Park on Saturday Oct. 21 at 9 a.m.

Pee Wee

La Cañada 16 – Glendora Tartans 6

No report received.

Jr. Midgets

La Cañada 36 – Glendora Tartans 0

The La Cañada Junior Midgets won their sixth straight game of the season, crushing the Glendora Tartans 36-0. Maxwell Garrison repeatedly sped past the Tartan defense for a total of four touchdowns and a whole lot of yards, while Sal Guerrero and Colin Mathews scored on touchdown receptions from quarterback Pierce Clarkson. Clarkson also made a beautiful interception that wowed the crowd.

Props to the entire defense for another shutout game taking them another step closer to the Junior Midget championship.