By Fred J. Robledo, SGVN
The Glendora High School football team has sent out a reminder to San Gabriel Valley foes that it’s still among the best around with its 2-0 start.
It’s easy to overlook the Tartans after they went 3-7 and finished fifth in the Baseline League in 2011.
New coach Jerry Lewallen is the school’s third coach in three years. And the Tartans compete against Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Los Osos and Etiwanda in the Baseline, one of the toughest leagues in the Southland.
“In my view, we can no longer use the Baseline as an excuse and just lower our heads,” Lewallen said. “We have to just play. What league we’re in is out of our control, you can’t worry about those things.
“What I worry about is us getting better and doing the little things that help win ballgames. Those are the things we can control.”
What they’ve controlled is the line of scrimmage.
Lewallen moved 6-foot-5 Christian Schneider to tackle and 6-foot-2, 280-pound offensive lineman Tommy Green is imposing his strength too.
In the Tartans’ season-opening 14-6 win over Claremont and last week’s 52-29 thrashing of Colony, they’ve averaged 302 yards per game with two outstanding individual performances.
Against Claremont, Amin Raad carried 36 times for 214 yards and a touchdown.
In last week’s win over Colony, Cade Lindsey couldn’t be stopped, rushing for 315 yards and three touchdowns on just 17 carries.
“Obviously we think our offensive line is the strength of our team,” said Lewallen, whose team only has thrown 17 times in two games. “When you have success moving the ball (on the ground), it wears opponents down not just physically, but mentally.
“And for our defense, if you ask any defensive coach, the longer you can keep them on the sideline the better. That’s their favorite place to be.”
The Tartans needed a good start because the schedule gets tougher, including at undefeated Ayala (3-0) on Friday, followed by a home game against Charter Oak (2-0) on Oct. 19 at Citrus College.
“We’re excited to play these games and see where we’re at,” Lewallen said. “If we can continue to move the ball and chew up the clock, we’ll be fine.”
