Two games into the season, South Pasadena High came away with a 21-6 victory over Arcadia at home Friday night.

The Tigers, who did all their scoring in the second half, iced it with four minutes to go in the game as Trey Freking went the two yards for South Pasadena’s final touchdown. David Ortega scored the Tigers other two touchdowns, one on a four-yard run up the middle and another on a 20 yard sweep.

Trailing by six at the half, SPHS Athletic Director CB Richards said the Tigers made some key adjustments at intermission. “The coaches talked about the importance of fundamentally blocking as a unit, and it paid off,” he explained. “You could really see the players come out in second half with a different focus as the team began to open holes and the backs find daylight.”

The Apaches only score came on a fumble recovery. Offensively they didn’t get inside the Tigers’ 30-yard line as South Pasadena’s defense turned up the heat, showing significant improvement over last week’s performance in a 28-0 opening season loss to Schurr.

“Arcadia played really well in the first half, holding us without a score and forcing four turnovers,” said Richards. “They will be a good team since this was the first game of the year, giving them time to improve as well.”

Arcadia took a 6-0 lead into the half, scoring its only points in the first quarter, before the Tigers put seven points on the board in the third period and 14 more in the fourth.

The Tigers will now look to improve on their 1-1 record when they host Crescenta Valley on Friday, September 6, at 7 p.m. in the third of five non-league games ahead of Rio Hondo League action.

Look for further updates to this story.

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