LaCom, Crescenta Valley Lose Control in Defeat

GLENDALE — Only 30 yards of grass stood between Erik LaCom and The Dream.

Suddenly it became a nightmare.

Muir High’s Damond Stewart slapped the ball out of the Crescenta Valley tailback’s arms. With the ball went the Falcons’ best chance for their first victory over Muir since 1978.

The Mustangs won, 19-17, on Friday night in what amounted to the Pacific League championship game at Glendale High.

“It was the last time I’ll play them,” a red-eyed LaCom said later. “They were beatable and we screwed it up.”

The Falcons, who trailed by two after taking and losing the lead three times, appeared in position to go ahead again when LaCom broke his ill-fated run from the Falcon nine in the final period.

He made it 61 yards, to the Muir 30 and within kicker Dave Fielder’s range, when disaster struck from behind with 5 minutes 27 seconds to play.

“It was just an open-field tackle,” LaCom said. “I was stretching for extra yards and he hit me in the perfect spot.”

After Stewart popped the ball loose, Muir teammate Nigel Younger ran past and scooped it up.

“(LaCom) does so many great things for this football team, but everyone makes mistakes,” Falcon Coach Alan Eberhart said. “He’ll get over it. Everyone makes mistakes and it was just his turn.”

With the loss, Crescenta Valley dropped to 7-2 and 3-1 in the league. Muir (7-2, 4-0) positioned itself to repeat as champion.

The Mustangs had to come back three times. Each time it was Shaun Haslip scoring on the possession following a Falcon score.

Haslip, a sophomore, gained 174 yards and scored three touchdowns in 24 carries. His biggest run was for an 80-yard score with 9:27 to play in the third quarter. It came on the first play from scrimmage after Crescenta Valley had taken a 17-13 lead.

Muir sophomore quarterback Mike Hughes also hurt the Falcons. Hughes completed nine of 16 passes for 164 yards and ran for 44 yards in nine carries.

“That kid’s going to be a great player,” Eberhart said. “I wish he would transfer to Mongolia or something.”

LaCom led Crescenta Valley’s attack with 110 yards and a touchdown in 15 carries.

Fielder started at quarterback despite having suffered a separation in his throwing shoulder two weeks ago. He completed one of eight passes for eight yards.

“We were in position to win but we made some physical mistakes,” Eberhart said. “We dropped the ball.”