Bulldogs too fast for Tornadoes
SOUTHEAST GLENDALE — A year ago, the Pasadena High football team defeated Hoover because it was too fast and when it got to the outside, the Tornadoes couldn’t catch the Bulldogs.
Not much changed this season.
The Bulldogs rushed for 212 yards and limited the Tornadoes to 71 total yards through three quarters in a 41-7 Pacific League victory Friday at Moyse Field.
“Their speed was too much for us,” Tornado Coach Chris Long conceded.
Pasadena’s speed made a difference on offense and defense.
The Tornadoes (1-8, 0-6 in league) couldn’t contain Bulldog running backs Cleo Bates and Chris Fuqua. Bates, a junior, had five rushes for 73 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both of which came when he took a rush to the outside and outran the Tornado defenders.
Bates’ second score was a 36-yard run on the first play of a drive, one of the four times the Bulldogs (4-5, 3-3) took advantage of a short field. Fuqua (13 carries for 63 yards) scored his only touchdown on a one-yard run in the first quarter, capping an eight-play drive that covered 56 yards. Bates’ first touchdown, a 14-yard run, ended a 45-yard drive.
Khari Bailey also scored for the Bulldogs on a one-yard run, ending a 49-yard drive.
“We did some good things on defense, but we couldn’t stop their running,” Long said. “Their speed took over.”
The Tornadoes had their struggles on offense, too.
Senior quarterback A.J. Pule was five of 14 for 41 yards through three quarters. Alexander Rangel replaced him in the fourth and the junior was six of 10 for 79 yards against the Bulldogs’ second- and third-string defense.
“We struggled a lot,” Long said. “Anytime you play a team with a whole lot of speed, they line up and play man defense and they can run with our receivers.”
Hoover sophomore Jesse Pina caught a game-high four passes for 58 yards. He scored the Tornadoes’ lone touchdown on a two-yard reverse with 4:51 to play in the fourth. The Tornadoes finished with 167 total yards.
The Tornadoes will conclude their season with the annual game against Glendale in “Battle for the Victory Bell.”
Long didn’t have any bold predictions. He had a simple saying that’s going to be said around Hoover when the Tornadoes get ready for their anticipated contest.
Said Long: “Beat Glendale Day.”