Kerchof gets Spartans in gear

Charles Rich

In Robert Kerchof’s mind, he couldn’t afford to be shut down a

second consecutive week in big fashion.

The La Canada High junior wide receiver had rendered himself

practically invisible in a win against Glendale Sept. 19.

Kerchof regained his visibility Thursday as he caught three

touchdown passes to help the Spartans earn a 35-6 nonleague home win

against San Gabriel Gabrielino. It marked the second consecutive

victory for the Spartans (2-1).

Kerchof caught touchdown passes from quarterback Matt Stoner for

21, 13 and 50 yards in La Canada’s home opener.

“I knew I had to rebound after the Glendale game,” said Kerchof,

who finished with 93 receiving yards. “I had to be focused and ready

to go. Glendale double-teamed me. We have a very good receiving core

and a passing system that’s been working well lately.”

Gabrielino (1-2) tried to blanket Kerchof, but to no avail.

The Spartans opened the scoring on the game’s first drive when

Harrison Moffitt scored on a 21-yard run. The drive lasted six plays

and featured a pair of completions by Stoner, who passed for 185

yards.

Then Kerchof got busy late in the first quarter, catching a

21-yard pass with 38 seconds left to extend La Canada’s lead to 14-0.

He made it 21-0 on a 13-yard pass in the corner of the end zone

and completed his scoring barrage with a 50-yard pass down the

sideline to seal the win.