NOTEBOOK : Hoover Loses to La Canada, 9-0, by a Single Foot

Excuse the Hoover High football team if it complains about being kicked around.

Last Friday, La Canada kicker Ross Allan booted a school-record three field goals as the Spartans defeated Hoover, 9-0.

Allan, a senior, was successful from 21, 25 and 49 yards. The 49-yard field goal broke Allan’s own school record of 44 yards set two weeks ago against Harvard.

Hoover gets no break this week in its Pacific League opener against Crescenta Valley.

The Falcons boast a terrific kicker of their own in senior Damon Martin.

Last Friday, Martin booted three field goals as Crescenta Valley defeated Burroughs, 9-5.

Allan and Martin are two of the main reasons La Canada (4-1) and Crescenta Valley (4-1) are enjoying their best starts in years.

All in the family: Pathon Rucker ran wild again Friday as Glendale High defeated Burbank, 34-18.

Rucker, a 6-foot, 170-pound sophomore gained 135 yards in 20 carries and scored two touchdowns as the Dynamiters improved to 3-2.

It was the third consecutive victory for Glendale and, not coincidentally, the third consecutive time Rucker rushed for more than 100 yards.

Coach Don Shoemaker says Rucker’s numbers are a direct reflection of the maturity of the offensive line, which is somewhat of a family affair.

Tackles Albert and Max Ocon are brothers and guard Alan Arrellano is a first cousin. They, along with tight end Axel Nielsen, guard Buddy Brewer and center Albert Moukoian, have improved each game.

“The line was not blocking with any efficiency the first two games of the year,” Shoemaker said. “Needless to say, they’re blocking well right now.”

Glendale opens Pacific League play against Pasadena Friday night at Pasadena City College.

Armed forces: Two of the areas best quarterbacks will square off Friday night when Marshall meets Franklin in a Northern Conference game at Wilson High.

Carlos Gutierrez of Marshall has picked up where former Barrister quarterback Sid Oxford left off. Oxford led the City Section in passing last season.

Gutierrez completed 12 of 22 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown last week as Marshall defeated previously unbeaten Eagle Rock, 33-20.

Meanwhile, Franklin quarterback Santiago Alvarez completed 26 of 36 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers defeated Belmont, 33-3.

Alvarez, a senior, leads the City in passing with 1,163 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Injury report: Glendale College may have emerged victorious Saturday when the Vaqueros defeated Compton, 42-7, but they also suffered a couple of minor setbacks.

Sophomore quarterback Darren Fitzgerald and sophomore running back Doug Dragomer both sustained bruised shoulders and may miss this week’s game against Santa Monica.

Coach John Cicuto said Monday that he hopes to have both players back for the Vaqueros’ Western State Conference Northern Division opener against Los Angeles Southwest Oct. 21.

Back in the swing: Wes Bender has rushed for five touchdowns in Glendale’s last two games and the freshman from Burroughs High says he thinks he can be even more productive.

Bender, a 5-10, 222-pound fullback, followed up his two-touchdown performance against Pierce with scoring runs of 11, 12 and two yards against Compton.

“I’m getting a feeling of confidence,” said Bender, who transferred to Glendale after sitting out last season at Pierce. “I don’t see why I couldn’t keep it up. They just have to keep giving the chance to run the ball.”