Following a bye week, the La Cañada High School varsity football team jumps back into action on Friday as they open their Rio Hondo League campaign against Pasadena at 7 p.m.
The Spartans are eager to break their three-game losing streak, during which they’ve been outscored 86-43. In contrast, Polytechnic comes into the matchup with a 4-2 overall record and one league victory having narrowly defeated Temple City 17-14 on Sept. 14.
Although La Cañada and Poly don’t have a long history of head-to-head matchups, the Spartans have only managed one win in three tries against the Panthers since 2018.
Following the league opener, the Spartans (2-3 overall) will head to San Marino (4-1) for a league game on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. LCHS will then return home to take on powerhouse Monrovia on Oct. 13.
ST. FRANCIS
The Golden Knights are set to return to action following last week’s bye, kicking off Angelus League play with a highly anticipated matchup against rival Loyola High of Los Angeles on Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m.
St. Francis enters its league opener in great form, boasting an impressive 4-1 record along with a solid two-game winning streak. Much of the Golden Knights’ success can be attributed to the standout performance of junior quarterback John Sanders, who has amassed 994 passing yards and thrown for 16 touchdowns with a 59% completion rate. In contrast, the Cubs (1-4) are on a three-game losing streak, being outscored 108-63 during that span.
Recent history has seen St. Francis struggle against Loyola, losing all three head-to-head matchups since 2020 and being outscored 75-44.
After this crucial league showdown, SFHS will hit the road to face Paraclete High in Lancaster for a league game on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. before hosting Cathedral High of Los Angeles on Oct. 13.
First published in the September 28 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
