Crescenta Valley’s Spirited Defensive Effort Wasted, 21-0

Despite an outstanding defensive effort, Crescenta Valley High failed in its bid to guarantee itself a playoff berth Thursday night, falling, 21-0, to Muir in a Pacific League game at Glendale High.

Muir, ranked fifth in Division II, capitalized on a long pass, a short drive and a Crescenta Valley miscue to dispose of the undersized Falcons.

The Mustang defense also clamped down, intercepting four passes by Ryan Kadletz and holding Crescenta Valley to 33 yards.

“Their defense was just too big and fast for our offense,” said Falcon Coach Jim Beckenhauer, whose team held Muir to 232 yards.

If Crescenta Valley (6-3, 2-2) loses to first-place Arcadia next week, the odds of the Falcons making the postseason will be long.

With less than two minutes expired in the fourth quarter, Dustin Benedict scooped up an errant lateral and ran for a 45-yard score. Sedric Thomas, who led all rushers with 32 yards in six carries, hit Elic Mahone on a conversion pass to widen the lead to 21-0.

Benedict, who barely had to break stride, was as stunned as anyone when the ball bounced into his hands. “The back was gone so I just took off,” he said. “I just turned around and there was the ball. Just me and the ball.”

Muir (7-1-1, 3-1), which had a 7-0 advantage at intermission, moved 38 yards on its first possession of the second half and capped the seven-play drive with a three-yard touchdown run by Carlton Greer. Eric Steinlight blocked the extra-point attempt and Muir settled for a 13-0 edge.

Crescenta Valley was unable to capitalize on four Muir fumbles in the first half but the Falcons limited the ordinarily explosive Muir offense to 124 yards--91 through the air.

While the Falcons’ defense flourished, their offense floundered: Crescenta Valley was held to just nine yards in the half.

Much of the Mustangs’ passing yardage came with 9:33 to play in the half when Thomas found Demetrius Martin wide open on a streak for a 50-yard touchdown. Todd Elkins added the extra point to give Muir a 7-0 advantage.

On Muir’s ensuing possession, Crescenta Valley linebacker Greg Thran stripped the ball from Sam Williford and recovered the fumble at the Mustang 41.

The Falcons’ opportunity to even the score fizzled on the following play, however, when a screen pass was batted by running back Jason Schwaiger and intercepted by Cassius Conway.

Crescenta Valley’s Mike Parker jumped on a fumble--his second recovery of the game--midway through the first quarter at the Muir 19. The Mustang defense did not budge and Damon Martin missed wide on a 31-yard field-goal try.