JR. GREMLIN FLAG

La Cañada Gladiators v. Azusa Raiders

(Teams do not keep score)

The La Cañada Gladiators Jr. Gremlins paid a visit to the Azusa Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 8 a.m. at Gladstone High School.

The Gladiators kicked off the scoring with a six-play 25-yard drive in the first quarter capped by a three-yard touchdown run by Alec Heberger. This after both teams exchanged punts in hard fought defensive series that set the tone for the game. In the Gladiators’ first defensive series of the game C.J. Mattmann nearly intercepted a pass and Joseph Padilla pulled two flags behind in the line of scrimmage. Padilla’s name would be called all day on defense after he pulled flag after flag behind the line of scrimmage – no one on the Raiders could block him throughout the game. On the Raiders’ first defensive series the team held the Gladiators in check, pulling flags on traditionally high yardage gaining run and pass plays forcing the Gladiators to punt which they have had little practice doing during the season.

In the second quarter, the Raiders showed their desire to keep the game close, stopping the Gladiators on eight and six play drives culminating in an interception stopping a Gladiators scoring drive at the end of the second quarter. Padilla shined in defensive action in the second quarter, pulling flags on Raider passing plays that set them back 14 and eight yards, stifling their offensive series.

After halftime adjustments the Raiders came out in the third quarter and scored on a long 35-yard run tying the game at a touchdown each. The Gladiators responded promptly on a two-play touchdown drive that saw Liam Pasten hit Angel Loza for a long 30-yard scoring pass.

On the ensuing Raiders drive, the Gladiators’ defense stepped up with Mattmann nearly intercepting another pass and with Padilla continuing to pull flags behind the line of scrimmage for two and four yards respectively. After a Raiders punt, the Gladiators responded with a two-play touchdown drive when Heberger got in on the touchdown throwing action with a 25-yard scoring pass to Loza. The Raiders responded with a clock churning eight-play 37-yard drive falling short of the goal line and resulting in turnover on downs. After a Gladiator punt, the Raiders scored on another long running touchdown play, this time for 40 yards. That is as close as the Raiders would get with the Gladiators sealing the victory with two more flag pulls for loss on the final series by Padilla.

The offensive/defensive line including Padilla, Matthew Merrill, Wyatt Zinn, Maddox Vengco, Adrian Garcia, Timothy Runnels, Gunnar Herman, DeLuccia and Flores all contributed greatly to the team’s success.

The Gladiator Jr. Gremlins final game of the season is at home against El Sereno on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 8:30 a.m. at La Cañada High School.

Gremlins

La Cañada 24, Azusa Raiders 0

The La Cañada Gladiators Gremlins dominated the host Azusa Raiders 24-0 on Sunday Oct. 23 to secure a birth in the playoffs and assure at least a share of the Arroyo Division title with one week to go in the season. It was the Gladiators sixth straight win and fourth shutout of the season.

La Cañada’s game commenced with its trademark strong defense, smothering three straight Azusa runs for negative yardage and forcing a punt. The Azusa punter whiffed on the punt and the ball was recovered by defensive tackle Ricky Guerrero. La Cañada’s offense took over on the Azusa 35-yard line and needed just two plays to run the ball into the end zone. Fullback Jake Arellano carried the ball 34 yards behind La Cañada’s feared wedge, the offensive line bowling over several defenders in the process. Jaiden Espadas kick was successful to put the Gladiators up 8-0 just a few minutes into the game.

Azusa received the ball after the ensuing kickoff but was again stifled by the Gladiator defense. The normally potent Raider offense, which had averaged 25 points a game all season long, was stopped for no yards in four plays and the La Cañada offense took over on downs at the Azusa 48-yard line. La Cañada’s defense was led by linebackers Jacob Lopez and Scottie Smith, safety Mo Guiragossian, cornerbacks Jake Arellano, Zeke Alzaga and Matthew Kurkdjian, defensive ends David Mysza and Thomas Sorensen, and defensive linemen Guerrero, Espadas, Noah Zarate, and Sebastian Pascuzzo. The Gladiator defense held the Raiders to three first downs and 22 total yards on the day.

On La Cañada’s second possession, the offense drove the ball steadily down the field but was stalled by a fumble at the Azusa 33-yard line. Azusa’s offense still could not move the ball, turning the ball over to La Cañada as the first quarter ended.

La Cañada struck quickly, first on a 23-yard pass from quarterback Mysza to a diving Matthew Kurkdjian, followed with a 17-yard run from wingback Guiragossian, and another demoralizing wedge run by Scottie Smith to score from four yards out. Espadas converted on the kick to put La Cañada up 14-0 barely two minutes into the second quarter. La Cañada’s offense again dominated the line of scrimmage, led by JJ Runnels, Arman Deravakian, Ezekiel Rodriguez, Cayden Klein, Julian Vartanian and Timmy O’Brien. The Gladiator offense pounded out 130 yards of rushing on the day.

Azusa again was held to negative yardage on four straight downs, and the Gladiators took over in Azusa territory. Four plays later Jake Arellano scored on a run up the middle from five yards out. Espadas continued perfect to close out the La Cañada scoring at 24-0 as both teams entered halftime.

The second half was a stalemate as Azusa tried to establish its run game against La Cañada’s defense while La Cañada rested its starters on offense. The Gladiators’ defense stood strong, keeping Azusa out of the end zone. La Cañada running backs Maddox Freeman, Crowley Sullivan and William Low took over on offense and executed several drives, dominating the time of possession, but ultimately failing to score.

La Cañada will host El Sereno in its final game on Sunday, Oct. 30 at La Cañada High School.

Jr. Pee Wee

La Cañada 14, Azusa Raiders 7

On Sunday, Oct. 23 at Gladstone High School, the La Cañada Gladiators improved to 6-1 with a hard-fought victory over the tough Azusa Raiders 14-6.  The Gladiators’ remain in sole possession of first place in the Arroyo League with only one game left in the regular season.

The Gladiators next take on the West Covina Bruins at La Cañada High School on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 4 p.m.

Pee Wee

La Cañada 16, Azusa Rebels 0

On Sunday, Oct. 23 at Gladstone High School the La Cañada Gladiators earned their sixth straight victory to improve to 6-1 with a dominating defensive performance over the tough Azusa Raiders 16-0.  The Gladiators’ remain in sole possession of first place in the Arroyo League with one game left in the regular season.

The Gladiators next take on the El Sereno Stallions at La Cañada High School on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2 p.m.

Jr. Midgets

La Cañada 26, West Covina Bruins 8

On Saturday, Oct. 22 at Cortez field in West Covina, the La Cañada Gladiators Jr. Midget team faced their toughest test of the season, but persevered in a 26-8 win against the West Covina Bruins.  The Gladiators remain undefeated through seven with one final regular season game to go.  The team’s rather lopsided point totals now read 269 for and 18 against for the year.

La Cañada came out on offense with a muscular series of eight to 12 yard runs culminating with a score by Daylon Beasley. The unsuccessful point after attempt made it 6-0.  The Bruins offense visited the field going three and out but later in the quarter did punch it in with only seconds left in the first quarter running up the tally to 8-6 with a successful two-point conversion.  This would be the first and only time this season that the Gladiators have trailed any of their opponents.

The second quarter opened with the Gladiator offense fighting their way bit by bit down the gridiron behind the protective wall erected by offensive linemen Brandon Shepherd, Charlie Stewart, Andrew Gevorgian, Sebastian De Leon and Jake Fitzgerald. The drive culminated with a powerful touchdown run by Andrew Scarsi off the left side pushing the Gladiators back on top 12-8.

West Covina found some footing at this point by using their solid ground game to chip away at the yards including a gutsy quarterback sneak for a first down on the La Cañada 21-yard line. The Gladiator defense stiffened and led by tackles by Robert Barreras, Marcus Powe’s quarterback sack, and a key tackle for loss on fourth down by Matthew Watson. More highlights in the first half included pinpoint passing from Sam Faulkner connecting multiple times with receiver Andrew Scarsi as well as a drive extending Faulkner screen pass to Marcus Powe scrambled and fought for 12 yards.

The Bruins took the second half kickoff to the 50-yard line but the drive stalled.  A momentum shift in La Cañada’s favor began with a tutorial showcase by running back Beasley who carved away at the West Covina defense with a varied array of carries. Beasley put the exclamation point on the drive with a touchdown rumble up the middle making the score 20-8 late in the quarter. More third-quarter highlights included a drive stopping tackle by Marcus Powe and a fumble caused by Chris Marfisi’s hard tackle that was recovered by Sebastian De Leon.

The familiar seemingly unstoppable La Cañada Gladiator team revealed itself in the fourth quarter with strong play on both sides of the ball.   Standouts included Patrick Weinmann, Jake Fitzgerald, Andrew Scarsi, Aiden Garcia and Daylon Beasley who left four would-be tacklers empty handed in a solid run around the left side. The Gladiators put up the final points of the day with a Sam Faulkner missile strike touchdown pass to double-covered Andrew Scarsi in the end zone resulting in a score of 26-8.

La Cañada wasn’t done entertaining the crowd who saw Andrew Sharman pound and wiggle up the middle for an impressive first down. Also strong late in the game was a key tackle for loss by Marcus Powe and the game-ending interception by Scarsi.

The final regular season game is this Saturday, Oct. 29 at La Cañada High School against El Sereno.

Midgets

La Cañada 0, Covina Vikings 40

No report received.