PHOTO: SPHS | The South Pasadenan | South Pasadena High School Sports Update
South Pasadena High’s road to a second straight Rio Hondo League title won’t be easy as an unbeaten team with the same intent stands in its way.
The Tigers travel to Monrovia Friday night looking to knock off the Wildcats, showcasing a perfect 5-0 record.
A year ago, South Pasadena captured the league crown, finishing with a 10-3 overall mark and a trip to the CIF Southern Section playoffs. This season has started with its share of ups and downs, and Tigers’ coach Jeff Chi knows his club must be at the top of its game to end the Wildcats’ winning streak.
SPHS ended non-league play last week with a 35-14 loss to West Covina, dropping to 2-4 on the season. Chi says injuries to several key players along the course of the season have slowed progress and forced younger athletes to step up, taking on bigger roles.
Chi likes the idea of putting his team up against one of the best units in the San Gabriel Valley to get the league campaign underway, recognizing it’s going to take a huge effort to upset the Wildcats, who continue to string together win after win.
“Monrovia has been successful with its big plays on offense,” he said. “We need to control the line to stop the run and put some pressure on the QB.”
The quarterback happens to be Jesse Saucedo, just a sophomore who is having an outstanding season under center guiding the Monrovia offensive attack. After a handful of games, he has connected on 61 of 94 passes for 1,265 yards and thrown 13 touchdowns, to go along with six interceptions.
Through the highs and lows of intentionally playing a demanding non-league schedule in preparation for the league’s four games ahead, Chi insists it has been a learning experience up to this point.
“Our preseason games have been tough, and it has taught us many great things about our team,” he said. “I believe our team is made up of tough players of our own. We just need to limit our own mistakes and play more consistently as a team on both sides of the ball. Our staff is expecting the team to put it all together for league coming up this week.”
Chi stressed that the Tigers have plenty of talent to take on Rio Hondo League teams, and the key at this stage is being patient with the younger, inexperienced players competing at the varsity level, noting: “As they get better and more experience, they will help the team tremendously.”
Following the latest setback to West Covina, Chi asked his team, what can we learn from the preseason and what would you have done differently for a different outcome?
“Self-assessment is very important for growth and improvement,” he said.
Carrying much of the offensive load for the Tigers over the first six games has been senior running back Trey Freking, who has rushed for 713 yards on 105 carries, a 6.8 yard average, and 11 touchdowns. Of course, all of his success wouldn’t come without those up front opening sizable running lanes.
Calling Freking “amazing,” Chi attributes “great vision, good size and speed” as three of his main strengths in finding gaps in the defense going down field.
“And most importantly,” insisted Chi, “he is a very competitive individual who hates to lose. He leads the team with his performance and his tough attitude.”
Adding to the excitement on Friday, it’s Color Day at South Pasadena High, an annual tradition where students and staff arrive on campus blanketed in orange and black — the school colors — many wearing outlandish costumes and wild attire celebrating school pride and unity.
And, of course, the day has special meaning to the football team playing later down the road in Monrovia that night.
“Color Day is a special day for South Pas,” Chi explained. “We always remind our team that the day is for the football team and its opening league competition. Ultimately, we need to focus and start off the league positively for possible league title. I believe the players understand the importance of the day.”
Battling one of the area’s finest admittedly is a difficult task for Chi, who wishes the Tigers were at full strength health-wise as they find a powerhouse Wildcats team in their path.
“When you are playing against a good team, we need to have all our best players on the field to compete,” said the coach. “Not having a complete team is making it more difficult. We will try to make the best to compete with the players that we have.”