ENCINO — Glendora head football coach Brandon Rohrer is a big fan of the San Francisco 49ers. And he has his very own Deebo Samuel on his team in Tim Johnson.
“I watch him on Sundays, Saturdays, even YouTube videos,” Johnson said. “Anything just to get even more like him.”
Johnson caught two touchdown passes and rushed for another score in Glendora’s 30-7 win over Crespi on Friday night. It’s the second time in two games that the Tartans have spoiled an opponent’s homecoming night after beating Ayala the week prior.
“And next week is our homecoming, so we’re ready,” Johnson said.
Glendora’s defense made a statement at the beginning and the end of the game. Anthony Fiorenza intercepted Crespi quarterback Masyn Harvey on the third play of the game and returned it for a touchdown. At game’s end, Brandon Coronado grabbed an interception on the final play.
Nazir McGlothen had an interception late in the third quarter, as well.
“Our defense is tough as nails,” Rohrer said. “And they’ve been playing well all year. The offense is starting to get going, which is good. Get the defense some rest.”
The Tartans gained a 21-7 advantage by halftime.
Quarterback Sebastian Lawrence heaved a pass to Johnson, who manufactured a 36-yard touchdown that extended Glendora’s lead to 14-0. Johnson took off on a 16-yard touchdown run with 5:09 in the second quarter just two plays after a roughing-the-passer penalty on Crespi gave the Tartans a first down.
Crespi switched up its offense to find its first touchdown of the evening. Freshman Chase Curren took the reigns at quarterback as the Celts lined up in a two-back set. Curren rattled off two passes for a gain of 17 yards before heaving a 54-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Howard.
The play was successful attempt at throwing Glendora’s defense off balance by placing Harvey, an athletic dual-threat quarterback, in different positions.
“It just so happened that we had a receiver on the other side wide open down the field and Chase made a great throw,” coach Brad Vonnahme said. “It’s just trying to keep it fresh, trying to give us an edge week to week.”
Crespi’s defense applied pressure in the second half and James Moffat recorded multiple tackles for loss. Still, Lawrence and Johnson teamed up for another touchdown — this one for 29 yards — with 6:32 remaining in the third quarter.
The Celts came up with fourth-down stops twice in the final quarter to prevent any further touchdowns.
Glendora tacked on two more points when Grady Lindenmayer pressured Curren for a safety.
