Page 8 November 4, 2021 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
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strong finish.”
Assistant coach Jacob Richmond echoed
Coach Nguyen’s comments saying, “We had
plenty of chances to get complacent or make
excuses, but they chose to learn and push through
the trying times.” He said there’s so much to
celebrate about our season, “The loss will
sting, but it just means they really cared, and
they’ll all be better for what they’ve learned.”
Eagles Get Clipped
in Season Finale
You had the eldritch feeling that the final
football game of the season against Lawndale
was going to be anything but forgetful. It started
with the public address speakers on volume
10 on the visitor’s side. Apparently, the hosts
must have thought the El Segundo fans were
hard of hearing. It continued with a lopsided
loss that included five Eagles getting injured
and removed from the game, including one that
was transported to the hospital. The game got
out of hand in the second hand, and Lawndale
cruised to a 55-7 win.
The football world would’ve been shocked if
the Eagles weren’t blown out. The mere fact
they had stood toe to toe with Lawndale in the
first quarter spoke volumes on the tenacity and
heart the Eagles showed. After El Segundo’s
first series to open the game fell short of a first
down, it took Lawndale three plays to score
and take a 7-0 lead.
Notwithstanding, El Segundo responded in a big
way. Going into the game, head coach Shawn
Green’s game plan was to use as much clock
as possible to keep Lawndale’s offense off the
field. “We had to shorten the game somehow to
keep them off the field.” The Eagles embarked
on a 14-play 62-yard drive to score their final
scoring drive of the 2021 season.
Leo Menendez found Nate Pascarelli open
for a five-yard gain. Two plays later, Conrad
Bernstein caught a pass good for 14 yards and
a first down. Mason Kahn caught a nine-yard
pass, then picked up a first down with a slashing
four-yard gain. Bernstein caught another 17-
yard pass and picked up seven yards on another
pass play. Kahn picked up three yards with
the Eagles driving to the Lawndale six-yard
line, and Dylan Bucher nudged it closer to
the one-yard line. Menendez punctuated the
long drive with a quarterback keeper to tie
the game at 7-7.
Lawndale took the ensuing kickoff and ran
it back to the El Segundo 38-yard line. The
defense came up with big plays to hold off the
inevitable. Aidan Pagel had a sack and another
for a tackle for a 3-yard loss. But Lawndale
got into the end zone on a seven-play drive
to make it 14-7.
The officials did what they could to control
the game but missed glaring penalties that cost
the Eagles. On one pass play, Bucher was set
to receive a pass over the middle, but what hit
early, and the pass was intercepted. It led to
Defensive back David McPherson is being attended by paramedics while his teammates gather prior to huddling for a prayer.
another touchdown and a 21-7 lead. Lawndale
then tried an on-sides kick, but it was quickly
recovered by Ryan Campbell. “It was a bush
play to on-sides kick, but that’s how they’re
coached,” said one assistant coach.
One of the game’s most dangerous plays
came late in the second quarter when Leo
Menendez was targeted by a Lawndale defensive
back. The defender came charging from the
opposite side of the field and had a bead on
Menendez, who had just thrown a completed
pass down the Eagle’s sideline. The defender
launched himself, crown of the helmet first,
into Menendez’s helmet. In the NFL, that
penalty is cause for ejection and a costly fine.
The referee Rob Zeller said he didn’t see the
hit, but another official threw the flag. “It was
a dirty play worthy of ejection, but all we got
was a 15-yard penalty, and Leo (Menendez)
was out with a concussion,” said Coach Green.
With about three minutes remaining in the third
quarter, the score was 41-7. David McPherson
had just got done assisting on a tackle and got
up but wobbled and fell to the turf. During
the stoppage of play and while he lay on the
ground, McPherson’s teammates huddled nearby
for a prayer. McPherson was treated by game
doctors and paramedics and then transported
to the hospital for a concussion.
Lawndale would leave their first-team defense
in and played most of their offensive starters
the rest of the running clock fourth quarter.
With 6:15 left, Lawndale scored on a long run
to make it 55-7. The Eagles took the ensuing
kickoff back to their 23-yard line. The offense
went into a sideline huddle and never broke as
time ticked away until the scoreboard read 0:00.
In a game fraught with ill feelings, the obvious
way to end the game was not to exchange
handshakes. But Coach Green demonstrated
the dignity and class of a true head coach and
ordered his team to meet their opponents. “It
was the right thing to do.”
Lady Eagles Extend
Their Tennis Season
The Eagles had little notice to prepare to
face the Torrance Tartars for the third time.
This time it was to play a play-in match to
advance to the CIF playoffs. Some players were
unavailable to play, but the team came together
with a game plan. It took a total team effort,
but the Eagles persevered to defeat Torrance
11-7 and advanced to the team CIF playoffs.
Freshman singles player Grace Bloom won all
three of her matches and was aided in singles
by the other two freshmen, Hannah A Smith,
and Hannah K Smith, who contributed two
victories each. The doubles teams also came
up strong, with senior Sam Robert and junior
Mina Kreski winning two of their matches, as
did the senior team of Katrina Smith and Nora
Greene. The Eagles advance to the CIF-SS
playoffs this week.
Boys’ Water Polo
Advances to CIF Playoffs
The Eagles swam their way to another league
championship. They finished off the Pioneer
League 10-0 and finished 17-11 overall. On
Tuesday, the Eagles started their CIF Southern
Section Division 2 playoff run when they
played host to El Dorado (22-5). Should the
Eagles win, they’ll host Costa Mesa today at
3:30 p.m. •
Aidan Pagel had three tackles for loss against Lawndale. Dylan Bucher looks for running room as Mason Kahn looks for a block.
Lady Eagles advanced to the CIF Playoffs this week after defeating Torrance.
Kaia Breeden helped win game one against Alemany with this
hit. Photo by Tim Neely.
Bella Pascual was stellar making digs against Alemany. Photo
by Tim Neely.
Love Thy Neighbor
Dear El Segundoans,
We love the profiles we’ve done, and we’ve learned so
much about El Segundo’s residents. We want to do more,
so please keep the suggestions coming. With over 16,000
residents, we’re sure there are some gems we may have
overlooked or not been aware of them. Do you have a
unique and interesting friend, neighbor, co-worker, colleague
or student? All you have to do is ask their permission and
send us their contact information. Of
course, if you find yourself fascinating,
you are welcome to send us your
information too.
– Best to you all. HM.
Send your suggestions in
to letters@heraldpublications.com
Please have your nominee’s approval before you submit them as a nominee.