Alhambra Trips Glendale, 30-28

Glendale High proved that it could score a lot without standout tailback Pathon Rucker, but the Dynamiters could not overcome three turnovers in a 30-28 loss to visiting Alhambra in a season-opening nonleague game Thursday night.

The Dynamiters fumbled away the ball three times and Alhambra converted those mistakes into 17 points.

Glendale’s third fumble came on the Dynamiters’ first possession of the second half when quarterback Nathan Callister fumbled a snap from center. Alhambra defensive back Manny Ruedaflores recovered at the Glendale 16-yard line and, two plays later, quarterback Mario Gallardo hit Maurice McIntyre with a 16-yard touchdown pass to give the Moors a 27-7 lead with 8 minutes 32 seconds left in the third quarter.

“We just gave them too many opportunities,” Glendale Coach Don Shoemaker said. “We gave them 17 points and you can’t do that. . . . But you have to give them credit. They converted our mistakes into points.”

Alhambra Coach Gilbert Ruedaflores praised Gallardo for making Glendale pay for its mistakes, and for his defense for giving him the opportunity.

“Mario is a good quarterback,” Ruedaflores said. “And we have good skill-position players to go with him. We run a college-type offense and I think it hurt them tonight.”

Gallardo completed 10 of 20 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns, and linebacker-kicker Paul Coss hit field goals of 37, 34 and 27 yards.

“He’s got a good foot,” Ruedaflores said. “When your kicker hits those field goals, it makes things a lot easier on your offense.”

Glendale’s offense struggled in comparison to Alhambra (252 total yards). The Dynamiters were held to 167 yards, including 108 on the ground.

Rucker, who gained 1,878 yards and scored 31 touchdowns last season, rushed for 40 yards in 11 carries and scored once in the first half before leaving the game because of a shoulder injury. He did not play in the second half.

Glendale narrowed the deficit to 27-14 after McIntyre’s touchdown catch when Shawn Cole returned the ensuing kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown.

Glendale recovered an Alhambra fumble on the next series and drove 14 yards in four plays--capped by Callister’s seven-yard touchdown pass to tight end Max Ocon, but Coss’ third field goal of the game with 5:28 remaining gave Alhambra a 30-21 lead.

Callister capped a 68-yard drive with a one-yard run with 2:34 remaining, but the Dynamiters could get no closer.

Glendale trailed, 20-7, at halftime, as Gallardo threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Mike Vasquez in the right corner of the end zone with 31 seconds remaining.

The play capped a 10-play, 87-yard drive.