Glendale football has no answer for Arcadia

GLENDALE — Glendale High football Coach George Maiale warned his team about falling behind Arcadia in the team’s Pacific League opener Thursday night.

“I told the guys that we can’t let them get started early, because we don’t want to have to have to fight our way back against Arcadia,” said Maiale, who is in his first year. “But that’s just what happened, they got started early.”

Fourteen seconds to be exact. That’s how long it took the Apaches to return the opening kickoff for a touchdown.

Arcadia added to its lead and had a sizable advantage throughout the first half. That quick start, coupled with a wrath of Glendale injuries, equated to a 42-0 loss for the Nitros at Moyse Field.

“We got hurt with the injury bug bad tonight,” Maiale said. “There were some positions where we didn’t have any guys and others where we were going to third and fourth string guys. Not to make excuses, but it’s tough when you don’t have the bodies to put in the positions.

“But I thought our guys fought hard and they were out there giving it their all.”

Glendale (1-4), whose only win came Sept. 4 against San Gabriel, 27-17, had trouble moving the ball against the Apaches (2-4), especially in the first half, as the Nitros had just 47 offensive yards in the first two quarters compared to 269 by the Apaches.

Glendale had five drives in the opening half and only one made its way into Apaches territory. The Nitros’ drives were halted at their own 33, 22, 21, 42 and the last was at the Arcadia 44.

“Even though we got behind early, you always got to think positive and think that you can come back,” said Glendale quarterback Tyler Artavia, who threw for 25 yards and ran for 39. “If the other team scores, you have to just think that you are going to come back and score. You can’t get down on yourself.”

After Arcadia’s Bradley Mills returned the opening kickoff, Arcadia scored on its next three possessions to take a 28-0 lead with 7:32 left in the second quarter. The Nitros did stop the Apaches on their next possession, as the visitors went into the locker room with a 28-pount cushion.

Arcadia had a balanced offensive attack behind quarterback Nico Hillier (six of eight passing for 102 yards and one touchdown and two carries for 107 yards and one touchdown) and running backs Quentin Cortes (16 carries for 109 yards and one touchdown) and Jahlique Stephens (18 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns).

Glendale came out in the second half and had a sustained drive, powering to the Arcadia 24. However, the Nitros turned the ball over on downs when a pass fell short on a fourth-and-seven situation. Arcadia took over and scored to make it 35-0. The Apaches added a touchdown with 1:46 left in the third and enjoyed a 42-0 advantage, prompting a running clock in the fourth quarter.

“The good thing for us is some guys got to get into the game and get some valuable experience,” Maiale said. “But we just have to get healthy.”