By Christian Romo
The matchup of Pasadena’s two best teams turned out to be a one-sided affair.
Behind a second straight 200-plus yard rushing performance from senior Amon Milliner (#5), the La Salle Lancers (3-1) defeated the Muir Mustangs (2-1) 44-6 Friday night at Kohorst Field.
Milliner, who ran for a season-high 256 yards last week against Bishop Diego, followed this week with 239 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Mustangs.
Lancer’s senior quarterback Jake Caan (#8) completed 10 of 12 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns, both to senior Harrison MacDonald (#15), who lead both teams with 77 receiving yards.
La Salle also received blitzing performances from senior linebacker Jake Rose (#43) and junior defensive tackle Andres Garcia (#72), who opened up the scoring with an interception return for a touchdown deep in Mustang territory, early in the first quarter.
With their nearly impenetrable defensive front and effective ground game, La Salle confirmed its position as Pasadena’s best high school team.
“[We have to] get back into the film room, we gotta’ study, and we gotta’ fight,” Muir coach Antyone Sims said of his team’s performance.
The Mustangs, who came into the season with high hopes following a disappointing 2015 season, still look to have best the team in the Pacific League. Any hope of competing with the area’s best, however, was dashed against La Salle.
“The first thing we gotta do is get healthy,” Sims commented, looking forward to the beginning of league play next week against Burbank.
La Salle’s win was not without issues. The Lancers once again racked up a litany of personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conducts, one leading to an ejection of one of its players early in the third quarter. Taunting on the sideline and fighting on the field forced
La Salle’s coaching staff to call an in-game meeting reinforcing sportsmanship and respect. Though the impressive win might not show it, the city’s best team is far from perfect.
Muir travels back home to face Burbank next Friday at 7 p.m., while La Salle travels to Scottsdale, Ariz. to face Notre Dame Prep next Friday at 7 p.m.