PREP FOOTBALL : No. 11 Muir Rallies to Beat Pasadena, 34-20

Pasadena Muir High erased a five-point halftime deficit and defeated Pasadena, 34-20, Saturday in the 41st annual Turkey Tussle game in front of about 15,000 at the Rose Bowl.

The Mustangs, ranked 11th by The Times, will enter the Southern Section Division II playoffs with an 8-2 record and a Pacific League title after going undefeated in five league games. Pasadena, ranked 19th, finishes at 7-3 and 4-1.

“It’s been a crazy year,” said Muir Coach Mike Harrison, whose team has won all six of its games since he took over the coaching duties from Jack Allen. “We don’t have any stars on this team--just a bunch of kids who come to play every week.”

Muir, trailing, 14-9, at the half, took a 15-14 lead with 10:33 remaining in the third quarter when Michael Hughes scored on a six-yard run.

The Mustangs never trailed after that, although the Bulldogs had a chance to get close with 2:44 remaining in the game and Muir holding a 28-20 lead. But Pasadena quarterback Chris McAlister was stopped on a fourth and two on the Muir 21-yard line.

Muir’s Charles Dunn put the game away moments later with a 62-yard touchdown run.