Crescenta Valley Makes Point

Once again, the difference was about a foot.

Kicker Michael Glenn of Muir High probably didn’t realize it when he missed an extra point late in the third quarter.

But the miss came back to haunt the Mustangs in Crescenta Valley’s 14-13 victory Friday night in a Pacific League showdown at Glendale High.

It brought back memories of last season, when Muir blocked a field goal in the waning seconds to preserve a 15-14 victory over the Falcons.

Only this time it was Crescenta Valley (6-1, 2-0) that was celebrating at the finish.

“We’ve won two times in 20 years over Muir and they’re both sweet,” Coach Alan Eberhart said. “Any win over Muir is sweet.”

Crescenta Valley scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown on a two-yard run by Wes Jones to lead, 14-7, midway through the third quarter. The touchdown was set up on a 41-yard run by Jones that moved the Falcons to the Muir four.

Muir (5-2, 1-1) responded with a 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive capped by Lawrence Pruitt’s nine-yard run with nine seconds left in the third quarter.

But it wasn’t until defensive back Jared Salisbury intercepted a pass by Kelvan Price of Muir at the Falcon 25 with 40 seconds remaining that Crescenta Valley could start celebrating.

“When I got it, I just wanted to waste time,” Salisbury said. “I didn’t want to give up the ball again.”

“I’m just relieved,” Eberhart said. “It was a great victory for us. It came down to the last defensive series and we came up with the big plays.”

Eberhart was sweating until the final gun had sounded.

“The history of this game is we have not made a key stop,” he said. “So I was hoping it was our time. When they had no timeouts left on their last drive, I knew this was our night.”

The Falcons finished with only 227 yards. Scott Vossmeyer completed 10 of 14 passes for 109 yards with one interception.

Jones rushed for 78 yards and a touchdown in 11 carries and Jason Hogan had five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown, a 35-yard option pass from halfback Steve Carballo in the first quarter.

Crescenta Valley scored first on a 35-yard halfback option pass from Steve Carballo to Jason Hogan.

Muir responded with Price’s 21-yard touchdown run.

Muir, which was averaging 336.8 yards on offense, was held to 155 yards.