Pasadena Jr. Pee Wee Team Loses to La Canada Gladiators

I hate to say it, but the Pasadena Panthers were shut-out by the Gladiators, losing 28-0 yesterday at Baldwin Park High School in the Championship game. Earlier this year, the Panthers faced the Gladiators and beat them 13-8, so what happened?

Khmori House, Offensive Coordinator, admits that although defense was unable to stop the run, the Gladiators were playing a handicapped offense. Chris Byers (running back and corner), the Reggie Bush of Jr. All American football this year (in my opinion), fractured his ankle in the previous game and was a huge loss for the Panthers on both sides of the football. Caleb Devine, a fullback and linebacker, sat out most of the first half with a cut to the finger, while the Gladiators scored two touchdowns. Losing key playmakers is always a difficult task to overcome and without the speed of Byers and the strength and power of Devine, the Gladiators appeared to be the dominant team on the field.

The Panthers were faced with a daunting task the week prior, having to change their game play without their key player Chris Byers in the lineup. During the first series it looked as though they had figured it out, but with some key drops on offense the Gladiators were able to stay in the game and score first. The Panthers were unable to answer the first touchdown and for the first time this season the Panthers faced the half with no points on the board. And obviously, it only got worse and the Gladiators were victorious in the end.

I personally can't wait for next year....looks like we have ourselves a local rivalry and the Panthers must redeem themselves. Lets not forget that the Panther's Jr. Pee Wee team wasn't expected to get as far as they did. Lets congratulate them on a stellar season and remind them that without the valleys their wouldn't be a mountain top so lets keep climbing!

This post isn't only to report but also to recruit. Bring your kids out next year and trust me they wont be the only one's having fun. Remember, a community that plays together, wins together...on and off the field!

PHS Head Football Coach Quits 3 Days after the Tussle

Calling all unemployed coaches, Pasadena needs you! Even as a Muir alumni I feel terrible about the PHS football program. After what I would consider a humilating season, only winning one football game against the Hoover Tornadoes, now they lose their coach, Coach Kevin Mills. Although, having PHS a few steps behind Muir would definitely secure another decade of Tussle wins (whoohoo), that would only be serving our own selfish needs. A much greater need is for there to be TWO (at least) dominant teams serving Pasadena, producing college-bound young men and women with good moral character....at least that would be optimal. Lets remember that we are a community, an entire community, who has a responsibility to support our youth and their talents. Now, how would that be possible without a proper leader for the Pasadena Bulldog football varsity football team? Lets put our minds together people....who do you think would be an appropriate choice? Please comment with your choice for the job.

Besides, imagine not knowing whose gonna win the Tussle in years to come? Wouldn't that be something new? Okay, okay, all jokes aside, let's imagine doubling or even tripling the number of football athletes that receive college football scholarships!

I hope PHS gets it together...

Don't forget Muir is playing tomorrow at 7:30pm (@ home) in the first round of the playoffs! Sorry, had to throw it in.

Pasadena Star News Final Football Rankings

Miguel Melendez, the Preps Editor at the Pasadena Star News, just recently posted on his blog, football's final rankings. I'm so excited to see that the John Muir Mustang team is dominating the area, but really, what's new? For the final rankings and commentary by Miguel Melendez, check out the article here.

Oh, and for those of you that missed the 55th annual Turkey Tussle, it will be televised on Friday, November 21st at 8am and 8pm on channel 56. For those of us who work, or will be at Muir watching the 1st round playoff game against Diamond Ranch @ 7:30pm, or dont have recording capabilities, the game will be televised again on Saturday at 1:30am and 1:30pm (same channel). You can also watch the game on Channel 5. Or, visit http://www.pasadenacommunitynetwork.com/ and click on the channel "56" icon to view the game in real time. I hope these are enough options!

Pasadena Panthers vs. Covina Vikings in the Championship Game THIS WEEKEND!!!

The Pasadena Panthers Jr. All American Pee Wee Football team will be playing against the Covina Vikings in the Championship game this Saturday. The Panther Family is urging the Pasadena community is come and show their support!

Game details are as follows:

Date: November 22nd
Time: 3:00pm
Location: Mt. View High School, 2900 Parkway Drive, El Monte
Admission: $3.00

Driving Directions: Take the 210 freeway East to the 605 South, exit Valley Blvd. Turn LEFT on Valley and take to Durfee, make a LEFT. Take Durfee to Denholm Drive, make a LEFT. The school is on the left side of the street.

Panther-Gladiator Rematch: Jr. Pee Wee Football Championship

The La Canada Gladiators will have another chance to try to beat the Pasadena Panthers. Today, in their semi-final game, the Gladiators beat the Charter Oak Chargers to advance to the Championship game. Next Sunday, November 23rd at 10:00 a.m., the Gladiators will face the Panthers in an attempt to pay them back for the loss they suffered earlier this month (13-8), while Pasadena will work to remind them why they have the perfect record of 9-0. I'm looking forward to seeing what new things our Jr. Wee Pee team will teach the La Canada Gladiators about PASADENA FOOTBALL!

A special shout-out to the coaching staff, as they were dedicated this season to building champions, one game at a time.

55th Turkey Tussle

Were any of you expecting a much bigger blowout than the one witnessed on Friday, November 14th (13-0) at the Rosebowl? This year's Turkey Tussle was a slight disappointment for me and I am certain that coaches and players alike were expecting a much higher scoring game. However, I am proud as a Mustang that we were able to stretch our winning streak against the Pasadena Bulldogs by another year, making it the 12th consecutive year. A win is a win, and we'll take it!

See Migel A. Melendez's Pasadena Star News report. View the San Gabriel Valley Tribune Photo Gallery for the Tussle.

Pasadena Panther's Jr. Pee Wee Team Heads For the 'Ship!

Wow. I must say that this has been a standout season! I have no doubt that the Jr. Pee Wee team will be able to call themselves the 2008 Champs. However, they need the support of not only the parents, friends and families of the players, but of the community that they rely on to support the positive endeavors of our young. Lets be proud of the choices these young men have made to join a positive team effort, exercising discipline, hard work and dedication as a single unbreakable unit. Thus far, this team has managed to finish each game as winners and with a 9-0 season behind them, they are head for the 'ship.

"Where ya'll from?"............"DENA!!!!"

Game details will be posted on a later date.