Glendale Rolls Over Crescenta Valley, 34-0

It was a little like watching a guy try to prevent a boulder from tumbling downhill: You knew that sooner or later it was going to roll.

And do damage.

Glendale High eventually flattened visiting Crescenta Valley, 34-0, on Friday night in the teams’ Pacific League opener.

However, Glendale (5-1 overall) spent most of a frustrating first half building an overwhelming statistical advantage with only a 20-0 lead to show for it.

The Dynamiters’ offense moved at will between the 20-yard lines, rolling up 278 yards and 10 first downs in the first half to Crescenta Valley’s minus-three yards and one first down (by virtue of a penalty).

But, with a few breaks, Crescenta Valley (4-2 overall) might have gone to the locker room at intermission in a scoreless game.

Glendale quarterback Nathan Callister (14 attempts, 10 completions, season-high 229 yards, four touchdown passes), salvaged two failing drives with a 20-yard touchdown pass to split end Mike Wright on fourth and four, and an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Max Ocon on third and 16.

Both conversion attempts failed, however, and Glendale held a 12-0 lead with 18 seconds to play in the half.

Then, Glendale’s Pathon Rucker--who also rushed for 157 yards in 18 carries--intercepted a pass at the Dynamiter 36 and returned it just past midfield. Callister immediately hit Wright with a 47-yard touchdown pass.

Wright finished with five catches for 148 yards and three touchdowns, the last a 57-yard play on a swing pass to cap Glendale’s first possession of the third quarter and put the game on ice.

“That was five yards of pass and he did the rest,” Callister said.

Said Wright: “They were playing me 14 yards out so I said I’m going to take it.”

Glendale totaled 502 yards in offense, 273 on the ground. Fullback Gill Friedman rushed for a season-high 66 yards in 12 carries, including a one-yard touchdown blast in the fourth quarter to finish the scoring.

Reserve tailback Shawn Cole added 50 yards in eight carries.

The shutout was Glendale’s third this season.

Nor did the Falcons move the ball, totaling just 46 yards and three first downs. Quarterback Aaron Schaeffer completed only two of 11 for 16 yards and he threw one interception.