Falcons Remain Undefeated

The field at Glendale High was a mess and the Crescenta Valley offense was a mess for one half, but the Falcons kept their end zone clean when it counted in a 21-16 nonleague victory over Canyon on Friday night.

“It wasn’t a pretty football game, but I don’t care,” Falcon Coach Alan Eberhart said.

Canyon controlled the ball for most of the game, but blew several scoring opportunities.

“It felt like the defense was out there forever,” said Falcon linebacker Jesse Busta, who fell to his knees during one Canyon timeout late in the game. “I’m glad they were calling timeouts because they helped me.”

Canyon’s Kevin Hammer intercepted a Seth Santoro pass with Crescenta Valley leading, 21-10, early in the fourth quarter. The Cowboys drove 52 yards to the Falcon 11-yard line, but the Falcon defense held tough. Nate Barber sacked Luke Petticord for a four-yard loss on second down and two plays later, Clint Radenbaugh hit Petticord as he threw and Chris Brandes intercepted the pass.

Crescenta Valley running back Kenny Pritchett, who ran for just 45 yards in 11 first-half carries, had five consecutive carries for 61 yards during a crucial third-quarter drive that put Crescenta Valley (3-0) up, 21-3, when Jesse Busta broke through for a one-yard score.

Canyon, on the arm of Petticord and the legs of running back Matt Gregory, stormed back. Petticord, who completed 14 of 31 passes for 212 yards, got 68 of those yards on a 70-yard drive that Petticord capped with a one-yard sneak to make the score 21-10 early in the fourth.

Josh Miramontez recovered a Pritchett fumble with three minutes to play, and Canyon capitalized with a 1-yard Petticord touchdown run with one second left.

Canyon had an opportunity late in the first quarter, but couldn’t convert on third and nine from the Crescenta Valley nine-yard line and had to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Pat Terry that made the score 7-3.

“We missed our chances,” Canyon Coach Larry Mohr said.

Crescenta Valley, which goes to 3-0 for the first time since 1994, struck first on a screen pass from Santoro to Barber that went for a 73-yard score.

The Falcons took a 14-3 lead when Santoro and Barber again connected, this time on a 23-yard play with 1:23 left in the first half.

In 1994 Crescenta Valley started out 5-0 but finished the season 6-4.

“It was neat before to be 3-0 but then we caved in,” Eberhart said. This time we have to take the next step.”

Barber caught three passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Pritchett gained 125 yards in the second half for a total of 170 in 28 carries, but he did not score.

Canyon, which entered the game with only 63 passing yards, went to the air. Receiver Josh Borgese had nine catches for 135 yards.

“They went to an eight-man front on us,” Mohr said. “I would have rather run the ball more, but I’m pleased with the way the team is progressing.”