After winning three football games in a row to start the season, South Pasadena High's streak came to end Oct. 1 with a 27-14 loss to visiting Alhambra.
"No excuses. They just took it to us," South Pasadena coach Ed Smith said. "They're a physical team and beat us up on the line."
For the first time, South Pasadena (3-1) had trouble moving the ball, especially in the first half, as the Tigers committed two turnovers, punted twice and turned the ball over on downs.
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On the second possession, Conor Bednarski was intercepted by sophomore Jeremy Maresca, setting up a 51-yard touchdown drive culminating in sophomore Joshua Mendoza's 1-yard run.
Alhambra (2-2) scored again on Mendoza's 20-yard pass to Demetrius Russell.
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There was a glimpse of hope when South Pasadena's Gus Shettleroe recovered a fumble on the Alhambra 29, but Bednarski was picked off again on the next play.
Smith and his staff made some adjustments at halftime, and South Pasadena scored twice in the third quarter on a 58-yard pass from Bednarski to Matt Nelson, followed by a 72-yard drive culminating in Patrick Martin's 1-yard touchdown run.
Alhambra scored on a 6-yard pass from Mendoza to James Martin and Jonathan Bird's 37-yard field goal.
In the fourth quarter, Alhambra chewed up near up much of the clock on a long drive that began on its own 3 and ended on Bird's field goal.
"That was the game right there," Smith said.
