First published in the Oct. 21 print issue of the Pasadena Outlook.
La Salle College Preparatory’s varsity football team dominated visiting San Pedro Mary Star of the Sea, 33-14, en route to its first win of the season last Friday.
Mary Star of the Sea had no answer for the Lancers aggressive running game led by senior running back Angelo Godoy, who recorded 22 carries for 222 yards and two rushing touchdowns, all career-highs. He also had one reception for 14 yards.
“Very proud of Angelo and the performance he had,” said La Salle head coach Ben Buys. “He is an extremely explosive athlete and it was only a matter of time until he had a breakout performance. He puts the work in every day and leads by example.”
The first quarter decided the contest as the Lancers jumped to a 19-0 lead behind an explosive and fast-paced offense.
The Lancers scored first with 10:27 to play as junior quarterback Richard Munoz threw a bullet into the arms of senior Matthew Gamble, who scored on a 71-yard touchdown. Junior kicker Man Hadi successfully converted the PAT to make it 7-0.
With 4:08 remaining in the first quarter, La Salle scored its second touchdown on a 15-yard run by Munoz. He finished with nine completions on 22 attempts for 200 yards passing and added five carries for 27 yards rushing.
With 2:15 to play in the first quarter, Godoy rushed for his first of two touchdowns after a fumble recovery set up La Salle’s third touchdown.
The Lancers were held scoreless in the second quarter but found their groove again in the third quarter. With 54 seconds to play, a 19-yard run by Godoy moved the Lancers to the three-yard line. Godoy then scored his second touchdown with 33 seconds to play, and Hadi’s PAT made it 26-6.
La Salle’s final scoring drive came in the fourth quarter, set up by a 27-yard run from senior running back Rashaad Austin, who was tackled at the nine-yard line. On the following play, Austin carried for a touchdown with 6:41 to play, and Hadi’s third successful PAT made it 33-14 and capped the game’s scoring.
Austin carried the ball 12 times for 70 yards and had one reception for four yards. He also had two assisted tackles.
Completing the Lancers’ offensive performances were sophomores Aidan Leyland, who had three catches for 64 yards, Mauricio Pavon (two receptions for 25 yards) and David Mysza (one catch for 25 yards).
“It feels good, wins always feel good, and it’s good to do it at home, good to do it at homecoming with our crowd,” Buys said about La Salle’s first victory of the season. “I just think our best football is ahead of us. I think there is still a ton we can capitalize on so I am excited about the future.”
Aside from blemishes in the second and fourth quarters, La Salle’s defense was sturdy, led by Gamble and junior Anthony Balurdi, who recorded eight and seven total tackles, respectively. Sophomores Thomas Gomez and Kyle Lima both added six, while junior Andrew Boecking and senior John Alvarez had five and four, respectively.
The Lancers (1-6 overall record, 0-1 in league) will then host a formidable opponent, L.A. Salesian (5-3 overall, 2-0 in league), on Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. for their last league contest and regular-season finale.
