Crescenta Valley remains perfect in league with win over Pasadena
GLENDALE — What looked on the surface to be a mismatch in the Pacific League football game featuring Crescenta Valley and Pasadena, turned out to be just that.
The Falcons came into Friday night’s contest leading the league in points surrendered with eight, while the Bulldogs were last among league teams in points scored per game with nine.
Sparked by a fine effort from transfer Omri Edwards, who was playing his first game after having to sit out due to the mandatory CIF transfer rule, Crescenta Valley built an early lead and its defense did the rest in a 49-13 victory against Pasadena at Moyse Field.
The win kept the Falcons (6-1, 4-0 in league) undefeated in league play. Crescenta Valley and Burbank (5-2, 4-0), which defeated Arcadia on Friday, 26-16, are tied for first place.
“Our defense really played well for us tonight,” said Crescenta Valley Coach Paul Schilling, whose squad last won a Pacific League championship, along with a CIF title, in 2014. “We knew that our defense would lead us in this one. It’s those big guys up front on defense that really lead us. Coach [Dennis] Gossard just does a great job with our defense.
“It’s nice to be where we are at this point in the season. But we have the big three for the last three games, Burroughs, Burbank and Arcadia, and those are going to be some tough games for us.”
Edwards, a junior who transferred from Ramona in Riverside, had to sit out the first six games because of the transfer rule. He didn’t waste much time getting into a grove when he took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.
On his second touch of the night at running back, Edwards ran for a 10-yard touchdown. He ended the night with 10 carries for 59 yards and two touchdowns.
“It was really mentally tough seeing my players playing every Friday and not being able to play with them,” said Edwards, who also had a 16-yard scoring run. “I was wishing that I could play, but I’m back at it now.
“On that kickoff, it just felt so go to go down field … it was a great feeling.”
The Falcons also received a productive effort from sophomore quarterback Cole Doyle, who completed 15 of 19 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown. That score came on a nine-yard strike to senior Andrew Traber (four catches for 51 yards).
On the ground, the Falcons also received two touchdowns of one yard from sophomore Daniel Cho.
Crescenta Valley jumped in front early against Pasadena (1-6, 1-3), leading, 21-0, after one quarter. The Falcons tacked on 14 more points in the second quarter and went into the half with a 35-7 advantage.
Pasadena’s only score of the first half came on a 62-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.
The Falcons’ defense was dominant in the opening half, limiting the Bulldogs to minus-seven yards of total offense. The Crescenta Valley defense held Pasadena to 65 yards of total offense in the game.
Junior Joe Suh had a touchdown run of two yards and senior Will Rees had four catches for 82 yards for Crescenta Valley.
