Connors Directs Hart to Victory in Convincing Style

Little has changed since Hart High entered the Foothill League in 1982.

The Indians, the defending Foothill League champions, have won the league title six of the past eight seasons.

On Thursday night against Alhambra, in a game in which its biggest challenger wasn’t on the field but in the bleachers, Hart showed why.

Hart quarterback Ryan Connors completed 25 of 47 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 35-6 victory over Alhambra at East Los Angeles College in a Foothill League opener.

Members of the Schurr football team, which won the Foothill League title in 1982 and ‘88, the other school besides Hart to win the league title, watched from the stands in preparation for the Oct. 26 showdown between the schools.

Alhambra, which fell to 1-5, has not beaten Hart in nine tries.

Hart (4-2) has won four consecutive games after opening with losses to Canyon and Crespi.

“We did what we wanted to and had to tonight and we’re starting to roll,” Hart Coach Mike Herrington said.

Connors completed passes to seven receivers. Scott Blanchard rushed for 73 yards in 17 carries.

Connors, who threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Doug Distaso to cap a 10-play, 72-yard drive that gave Hart a 35-0 lead midway through the third period, was successful on five of five fourth-down passes to keep four Hart scoring drives alive and the Indians took a 28-0 halftime lead.

Distaso caught six passes for 113 yards and Damon Mori pulled in five for 32.

Connors connected on a 12-yard pass to Brian Bernier on fourth and three from the Alhambra 40 to set up Hart’s first score. Four plays later, Tucker Setterberg ran in from three yards for a 6-0 advantage with 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Mori recovered Brady Vilensky’s onsides kick on the ensuing kickoff to start another Hart drive.

Connors connected with George Kase (three receptions, 40 yards) on an eight-yard pass to give Hart a 14-0 advantage early in the second quarter.