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Sports

Football: New Era Begins at South Pasadena

New coach Martin Konrad ready to get "mojo following again" at South Pasadena.

It’s a new era at. Ed Smith, who was with the program for the last 30 years including the last 15 as head coach, stepped down from his position last December with a career mark of 65-96-4. In March, the Tigers hired former CIF-SS champion Martin Konrad, who led Flintridge Prep to a division title in 2003. Konrad came in and was welcomed with open arms to the school.

“This is a great opportunity to get back into high school football,” said Konrad, whose most recent position was co-defensive coordinator at College of the Canyons. “I really missed that high school atmosphere, playing under the lights on Friday nights. There is nothing like it.”

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Konrad inherits a Tigers squad fresh off their first winning season (6-4) since 2007, though the Tigers lost a three-team tiebreaker for second place in the Rio Hondo League and missed the playoffs. There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of discouragement, however, as Konrad wants to continue its winning ways.

“We had a really good summer,” Konrad said. “Everyone stayed committed in the weight room knowing that we need to get bigger, faster, and stronger in all aspects. We are still evaluating at who can do what, but once the pads come on, that’s where we find out what we are made of.”

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New coach, new players

Not only has the coaching staff shaken up the program, the Tiger offense must figure out who can replace most of the stats from last year. More than half of the Tiger roster in 2010 was made up of seniors, with three of them accounting for close to two-thirds of their yardage. Quarterback Conor Bednaski and receiver Matt Nelson connected for 11 of the teams 13 touchdowns, while Patrick Martin on the ground had 17 of the team’s 20 TDs.

This season though, the Class of 2012 is approaching this season with a twist. While many would suspect players fighting for the top spot on the depth chart, instead these players are taking this season as a team effort.

There are two juniors capable of standing behind potential starting quarterback Andrew Molina. Last year Telanto Harvey and Yi Han had over 100 carries combined with a touchdown. With size in the receiving core down this year as well, these two might be the key factors in the Tigers’ push for another strong season on offense.

“We have a lot of guys on our team that can step up and take charge,” Han said. “With our new coach, we are devoted to learn at whatever he brings to us. This season is all about teamwork.”

Already with a winning record

Believe it or not, Konrad already has a winning record at Roosevelt Field. It was, though, a neutral game playing for the CIF-SS Division XIII crown. Konrad was the head coach of the Flintridge Prep Rebels back in 2003, taking the team to a 13-1 record and a thrilling victory over archrival Pasadena Poly.

That year, two of the most successful Rebel players in recent history, quarterback Greg Sherman and Ramses Barden, lit up the air and helped carry the team to its first ever CIF title in 11-man football.

“That team was all about chemistry,” Konrad said. “We had a great bunch of guys, and especially those two really played well together. With all that we developed through the season really carried us. We had a tough schedule that year and taking down our league rival in the finals took a lot of perseverance.”  

Konrad that year also won coach of the year honors. Since that game he stepped down as head coach to further his work on the CIF coaches committee through 2005. After working as defensive coordinator at West High Ranch High School and College of the Canyons, finding out about the open stint at South Pasadena was a blessing in disguise.

Stepping onto the field for the first time at practice Wednesday brought back pleasant memories.  

“Stepping on here really brought back special moments,” Konrad said. “This is the kind of thing I want to bring to South Pasadena. Hopefully we can get that mojo flowing again.”

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