Falcons Fail to Break Streak

Hudson Gossard will likely go down as the most prolific quarterback in Crescenta Valley High history, but on Friday night, he was like every other guy who has played for the Falcons in the last 23 years.

He lost to Muir at Muir, continuing a streak that has stretched painfully to 1978.

That first victory was within grasp as Gossard scrambled, searching desperately for an open receiver before being sacked by Deon Thomas at the Mustang 10 as the final seconds ticked off in a 31-28 Pacific League loss.

One open receiver, one little opening and Crescenta Valley (7-1, 2-1 in league play) would be playing for a share of the league title next week. Now, the Mustangs (5-3, 3-0) and Arcadia (5-3, 3-0) are in control.

“We preached all week that it would come down to one moment and we didn’t get it done,” Coach Alan Eberhart said.

Gossard completed 29 of a school-record 52 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns. But after throwing only eight interceptions in seven games, he was picked off five times by Muir.

The fact that his 1,964 yards this season surpasses the school mark of 1,925, set last season by Scott Vossmeyer, now at Oregon State, didn’t matter to Gossard.

Nor that running back Jason Hogan caught 10 passes for 62 yards to give him a school mark of 56 catches.

“That’s all hollow,” Gossard said. “We fought to the last minute and some mistakes by me cost us the game.”

The Mustangs had a hand in it.

They sent only three rushers all game, leaving eight defenders to drop back into pass coverage. Greg Ganther had two interceptions.

Muir’s offense was just as effective, rolling up 417 yards, 359 on the ground.

Aujulius Bailey carried 14 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas had 119 yards in eight carries. Quarterback Christopher Dickson gained 79 yards in 13 carriesand scored three second-half touchdowns.

A 13-6 halftime lead deteriorated for Crescenta Valley, ranked second in Division III and fourth in the region, in a wild game that featured 10 turnovers and 801 yards of offense.

Despite the heavy defensive coverage, Gossard found seams, connecting for 17 of 32 second-half attempts.

He hit Ryan Radenbaugh for a three-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion pass to Hogan with 6:06 left.

Earlier, he connected with Jason Burkhart for a 21-yard scoring pass and Michael Bribeaux from 50 yards.

But a final drive that began at the Falcon 20 with 1:51 remaining fell short.

The last four games between these teams have been decided by a touchdown or less, including Crescenta Valley’s 14-13 victory last season.