When you’re winning with regularity and coming off a shutout victory over one of the strongest opponents on your non-league schedule, it’s easy to feel – at least for a day – invincible.
“Yes, it’s a good feeling,” said South Pasadena High quarterback Justin Huff, whose even keel disposition has helped the Tigers improve to 4-1 after another solid performance last Friday in the Tigers’ 27-0 shutout over host Alhambra.
The guy means business as he and the rest of the offense have the Tigers rolling at the mid-point of the season. “I know for a fact that we’re going to get better,” said Huff, only a junior, who also kicks field goals and extra points for the Tigers.
With only one more non-league game on their schedule this Thursday against Eagle Rock at home before league play gets underway, Huff likes the idea of helping the Tigers moving the ball up and down the field. “This team has really surprised me,” he admitted. “I’m really happy with the way things are going. The coach has given me every opportunity to shine.”
The coach happens to be Jeff Chi, who briefly coached at Hoover High in Glendale in the late 1990s as his only head coaching stint before spending his time as an assistant coach, mostly at South Pasadena High over the years.
Like their earlier wins on the season, the Tigers dominated again in this one.
A poor snap, which flew over the head of the Alhambra’s punter, led to the Tigers’ first touchdown in the second quarter. Gavin Chi punched in the South Pasadena’s first touchdown on an 8-yard run with just one minute gone in the second quarter quarter.
Just before the half ended, Huff connected with receiver Danny Rios on 25-yard scoring toss to make it 14-0. Huff went back to Rios at the 9:25 mark of the third quarter on a 5-yard scoring toss, taking his team 75 yards on10 plays to open the period.
South Pasadena climbed out to a 21-0 lead with 9:25 left in the quarter, Huff hitting Rios into the left corner of the end on a 5-yard scoring pass with 9:25 left in the quarter.
“I honesty think we’re better than last year,” said Rios after his standout performance. “Hopefully, we can keep this thing going. Every week we improve and the competition gets better.”
The Tigers added one more touchdown as Huff found receiver Sydney Luna-Long – in the right corner of the end zone, making it a 27-0 contest on the first play of the fourth quarter.
