Stop-and-Go Offense Beats La Canada

LA CANADA —  Crescenta Valley High seemed headed toward a rout of La Canada on Friday night when Hudson Gossard threw two first-quarter touchdown passes to Jason Hogan and the Spartans committed three turnovers.

However, the Falcons’ offense disappeared over the next two quarters, gaining only 26 yards.

La Canada stayed close, thanks to a touchdown on the final play of the half, courtesy of two Crescenta Valley penalties and an official’s call.

But by the fourth quarter, the Falcons regained the form that helped them average 325 yards over the first three games, and Gossard threw two more touchdown passes to complete a 29-8 victory in a nonleague game.

“We got caught up in a rivalry and we’ve been caught up in it all week,” said Coach Alan Eberhart of Crescenta Valley.

“Once the emotion was gone and we played football, we’re a much better team.”

Ranked sixth in the region by The Times and third in Division III, the Falcons (4-0) clearly looked like the better team in the first quarter.

Gossard hit Hogan with a 19-yard touchdown pass on their second possession, seven plays after Bobby Mena recovered Patrick Perrigue’s fumble at the Spartans’ 36-yard line.

Crescenta Valley’s second touchdown also followed a turnover. Chad Yagodzinski’s interception gave the Falcons the ball at La Canada’s 28.

Gossard threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Hogan five plays later.

After having a 73-yard first-quarter touchdown pass from Eric Young to Perrigue nullified by an illegal receiver downfield, the Spartans (3-1) benefited from an officials’ call for their touchdown.

Young’s 58-yard pass play to his twin, Ryan, gave the Spartans a first down at the Falcons’ 15. After Chris Woolridge’s three-yard run and Eric Young’s two incomplete passes, Chris Garnic kicked a 30-yard field goal.

However, a roughing-the-kicker penalty gave La Canada a first down at the six.

Garnic sent his 27-yard field goal attempt wide right, but was given another chance when the Falcons were called for having too many men on the field.

Garnic’s 22-yard kick was blocked as time expired, but the Spartans were given an extra play because of an inadvertent whistle after the play.

With the extra play, Eric Young threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Matt Jackson. Perrigue ran for a two-point conversion, making the score, 14-8, at halftime.