Monrovia’s Nick Hernandez (10) tries to fire off a pass during a football game against South Pasadena at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
South Pasadena’s Jonathan Stride (12) tries to stay on his feet after making a catch during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
South Pasadena’s Samuel Luna-Long (7) looks down field for an open receiver during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
South Pasadena’s Ethan Hong is tackled as he tries to make his way through Monrovia’s defense during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
South Pasadena’s Terrence Sweetman (88) charges through the field coming up with an interception during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Tyree Myles (5) charges through the field during a football game against South Pasadena at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
South Pasadena’s Samuel Luna-Long (7) prepares to hike the ball during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Zeph Pascasio (left) runs through South Pasadena defense during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s cheer squad during a football game against South Pasadena at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
South Pasadena’s Ivan Estrada (20) tries to maneuver his way through the field during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Tyree Myles (5) is dragged down by South Pasadena’s Daniel Garcia Villavicencio (58) during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
South Pasadena huddles together before taking on Monrovia in a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Daylen Wilson (4) juggles the ball as South Pasadena’s Ethan Hong watches during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia prepares to take the field before a football game against South Pasadena at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Daylen Wilson (4) pulls away from South Pasadena’s Ivan Estrada as he makes his way to the end zone during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Nick Hernandez (10) tries to fire off a pass during a football game against South Pasadena at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
Monrovia’s Daylen Wilson (4) hauls in a catch in front of South Pasadena’s Ivan Estrada during a football game at Monrovia High School on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Photo by Trevor Stamp, Contributing Photographer)
The Monrovia High football team continued its dominance this season as it cruised to a 49-7 win over South Pasadena High in Rio Hondo League action on Friday. With the win, Monrovia (8-1, 3-0) has earned at least a share of the league title and could win it outright next week with a win over La Canada.
“Right now, that was the goal,” said Monrovia coach Chris Williams upon claiming at least part of the league championship. “Last year, we struggled and this year we started to turn the corner. I’m proud of the boys. They really bought into what we wanted to do and to get a share of the league title is where we want to be.”
The Wildcats controlled the game from the start and didn’t waste time scoring as they marched 69 yards down the field on six plays to take a 7-0 lead on their first possession of the game. The touchdown came courtesy of a 25-yard toss quarterback Nick Hernandez to receiver Daylen Wilson.
That was the first of four touchdown passes thrown by Hernandez in the first half. He completed eight of 16 passes for 250 yards in the half and didn’t play in the second half as the Wildcats led big.
“Every week he continues to come out and do the little things right and it turns into big plays for us,” Williams said of Hernandez. “He’s getting our playmakers the ball where they can make plays and score touchdowns.”
Monrovia pushed the 14-0 lead with 1:24 left in the opening quarter when Wilson streaked down the left side and caught an 81-yard touchdown pass from Hernandez. The touchdowns were Wilson’s only two catches.
The Wildcats quickly made it 21-0 on their next possession when Zeph Pascasio took a handoff and raced up the middle for a 25-yard touchdown.
Monrovia took complete command of the game halfway through the quarter when Hernandez connected with Mario Minor on a slip screen pass. Minor followed his blockers before cutting to the left and ran 60 yards for a touchdown and a 35-0 Monrovia lead.
The Wildcats extended their lead to 42-0 with 1:59 left before halftime when running back Tyree Myles caught a 4th-and-10 pass from Hernandez for a 30-yard score. Myles finished with 72 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Monrovia’s defense controlled the line of scrimmage in the first half, holding the Tigers to only 26 total yards and only one first down. Monrovia also forced a fumble from quarterback Samuel Luna-Long. Nicco Ferro recovered which set up Myles’ touchdown catch.
South Pasadena avoided the shutout when Ethan Hong scored on a two-yard touchdown run halfway through the fourth quarter. That finished a 10-play, 77-yard drive. Hong finished with 45 rushing yards on 15 carries.
The Wildcats’ success this season has come from on both offense and defense. The offense has scored at least 33 points in five straight games. The defense has held opponents to no more than seven points in four consecutive games and under 15 in two others.
“The defense is amazing,” Williams said. “We got 11 guys who are aggressive and fly to the ball and are physical when they get there. The defense gets the offense the ball back quickly and puts us in a great position. If the defense keeps playing like this, I feel we’ll be playing a long time into November in the playoffs.”
