< The Latest 2025-10-17T21:16:35+0000
The Pasadena Star-News | Fri 10/17 08:20am PST | Jonathan Santiago
INGLEWOOD — Pasadena took a big step toward keeping its Pacific League title hopes alive with a 27-21 victory over Crescenta Valley on Thursday at SoFi Stadium, the NFL home to the Rams and Chargers.
Bulldogs quarterback Dutch Burbidge had an impressive night, completing 18 of 25 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 57 yards and a TD.
Pasadena coach Ron Jones thought the experience of playing at SoFi was a memorable one for both teams.
Interview with Pasadena QB Dutch Burbidge who sealed the deal tonight with a 36 yard run on fourth down as his team now claims a 3-1 Pacific league record. @SGVNSports pic.twitter.com/tMq2sxfWjG
— Jonathan (@6santiagorep) October 17, 2025
“It was great, it was well worth it,” Jones said. “The kids were excited, (and) us as a coaching staff were excited too. I wish we could have put on a better performance, but we got the win and that’s what matters.”
Pasadena raced to a 21-0 lead and had to hold on for a six-point victory to improve to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in the Pacific League.
Pasadena is chasing rival Muir (7-1, 5-0) for at least a share of the league title. PHS takes on struggling Arcadia next week. If it wins, it will have a chance to force a share of the league title with Muir and possibly Burbank.
Pasadena takes on Muir in the annual Turkey Tussle at the Rose Bowl in the final week of the regular season.
The Bulldogs’ quick start began with Kyle Robertson returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The lead was quickly doubled when Burbidge used his feet to get in the end zone on a 1-yard run to go ahead, 14-0.
Interview with Pasadena head coach Ron Jones following his teams victory in SoFi Stadium. @SGVNSports pic.twitter.com/cmAqL8VNRm
— Jonathan (@6santiagorep) October 17, 2025
The first-quarter onslaught continued when freshman Synncere Pitts finished another scoring drive, plunging in from a yard out for a 21-0 lead.
Crescenta Valley, who fell to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in league play, wouldn’t go away.
Falcons quarterback Xavier Thompson kept it close.
After Thompson took an end around 16 yards for a touchdown to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 14 points, he made a big play in the final minutes of the half on defense, intercepting Burbidge to keep it a two-score game at half.
A turning point came in the third quarter when the Falcons used much of the clock on a long drive but come up scoreless.
Burbidge was able to extend the Bulldogs’ lead with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Pitts to take a 27-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.
After Thompson helped lead the Falcons down the field, Guske finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. And they closed to within 27-21 with 2:43 remaining when Thompson scored on a 12-yard scramble.
Burbidge sealed the deal late on fourth-and-short, breaking free for a 36-yard run. The Bulldogs were able to run out the clock and hold on.
“I feel like we left a couple things on the table,” said Burbidge. “We just gotta execute like I know we can going forward.”
Crescenta Valley coach Hudson Gossard was proud of the team’s effort.
“It was close the entire game,” Gossard said. “Our defense played a heck of a game. We spotted them the opening kickoff but only gave up 14 points in the first half to one of the most explosive offenses in the Pacific League. We gave it a shot there at the end and just came up a little short.”
Although his team came up short, Thompson did all he could, playing every snap of the game. He finished with a game-high 198 rushing yards and two touchdowns to go with 78 passing yards.
“Its a blessing to be out here. Every game I try to come out here and perform,” said Thompson. “Any situation where my team takes a loss I want to put that on my back, I’ll take responsibility for that every time.”
Interview with Xavier Thompson who did everything for Crescenta, offense and defense. He finished the night with an interception on defense, 78 yards passing, 198 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns. @SGVNSports pic.twitter.com/6IQjlnPQmI
— Jonathan (@6santiagorep) October 17, 2025
Interview with Crescenta Coach Hudson Gassard following his teams defeat. @SGVNSports pic.twitter.com/y0whVU555w
— Jonathan (@6santiagorep) October 17, 2025