La Cañada football’s misfortunes carry into league

SAN MARINO — So far, this football season has been a mighty struggle across the board for La Cañada High, but the Spartans were given a clean slate of sorts as they played their Rio Hondo League opener on the road against San Marino.

The matchup against the dominant Titans went just like the nonleague schedule did, however, as La Cañada suffered another lopsided loss, going down 55-0 Friday night.

“We have what we have and we have to get these kids in a position to win,” La Cañada coach Jason Sarceda said. “All I can ask is for them to do their best.”

San Marino (5-1) scored on its first seven possessions. The run spanned the whole first half and the first possession of the second half, after which the Titans reserves took over.

The score was 41-0 at half and the second half was played with a running clock. The tandem of San Marino’s quarterback Blake Cabot and running back Beau Hobbie terrorized the La Cañada defense until they were mercifully taken out in the early part of the third quarter.

Cabot went five of seven with two touchdowns through the air. He threw a 13-yard scoring pass to Dereck Wendling on his second throw of the contest. His third throw also yielded a touchdown, going to Sean Richardson and covering four yards. The senior also carried the ball six times for 83 yards, which included touchdown runs of 17 and 23 yards.

Hobbie went off for 202 yards on 19 carries. He also ran for three touchdowns covering eight yards in the first, 13 yards in the second and 38 yards in the third. In addition, he caught two passes for 31 yards to lead all receivers.

La Cañada (0-6) has now lost six in a row to start the season, giving up at least 50 points in each outing.

In the victory, San Marino (5-1) notched its fifth straight victory while at the same time avenging La Cañada’s 28-13 triumph last season, which is also the Spartans’ last win.

One positive the Spartans will take from Friday’s defeat is that a lot of the reserves got significant playing experience as the second half progressed.

“The underclassman [got to play]. We do have some positive future. We were able to get some of those guys playing time tonight,” Sarceda said.

The Spartans’ offensive drought has now extended to eight quarters. La Cañada could find no room on offense, finishing with less than 10 yards. Starting quarterback Matthew Bromley completed his first three throws, but not much after that.

The junior finished five of 15 for seven yards with no interceptions.