Glendale Knocks Off Muir, 23-8

Pathon Rucker and the Glendale High football team are still causing a ruckus two months into the season.

The Dynamiters defeated Muir, 23-8, Friday night in a Pacific League game at Glendale to put themselves in the driver’s seat for their first league title since 1980.

Rucker, a 6-foot, 180-pound junior tailback who entered the game as the state scoring leader, was limited to 76 yards--and just 20 after the game’s opening drive--but scored two touchdowns. One of those scores came a 70-yard reception from Eric Kiesau that gave Glendale a 23-0 lead midway through the third quarter.

“It was a great team effort,” said Rucker, who has rushed for 1,259 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. “We’re up for all our games, not just because it’s Muir.”

Glendale’s win snapped a 13-game losing streak to the Mustangs that had dated to 1965.

The Dynamiters, who improved to 8-0, 3-0 in league play, are off to the best start in school history. Muir, the defending Southern Section Division II co-champion, slipped to 5-3 and 2-1. But the Mustangs were playing without four starters.

Three players, including receiver Demetrice Martin and defensive back Reggie Reser, two of the top NCAA Division I prospects in Southern California, were suspended for missing practice Monday.

Sophomore running back Saladin McCullough, who rushed for 131 yards in Muir’s 34-8 win last week over defending league champion Arcadia, did not play because of a strained groin. McCullough was nursing the injury before the Arcadia game and aggravated it during the game. He was unable to suit up Friday.

“Our kids played outstanding,” Glendale Coach Don Shoemaker said. “They had some kids out, but I don’t think it mattered. We weren’t intimidated at all. I think we’ll start getting some respect now. We had great balance tonight.”

Kiesau completed six of eight passes for 118 yards, and fullback Hector Maya rushed for 71 yards in 17 carries.

Glendale dominated from the start, marching 74 yards in 12 plays on the opening drive. Rucker capped the drive, running in from four yards to give the Dynamiters a 6-0 lead 4 minutes 48 seconds into the game.

Muir ran just nine plays and gained only 23 yards in the first half.