The Glendale High School varsity football team, led by first-year head coach Manuel Lemus, is off to a strong start to the year after defeating visiting Mendez High of Los Angeles 19-9 in a nonleague game on Aug. 25.
With this win, the Nitros have already exceeded their total number of wins from the previous year, achieving this milestone within the first two games of the season. This also marks the first time since 2013 that Glendale managed to win consecutive games at the start of a regular season.
Senior quarterback Jonathan Wells completed 16 of 32 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown, and for 49 yards on seven carries. Senior Alfred Intriago rushed for a team-best 145 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries while adding seven tackles on defense. Senior Sergio Avalos made a pair of catches for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore Rudy Cuellar made seven receptions for 86 yards, caught an interception for 19 yards and made four tackles on defense. Senior Austin Aldrete made four catches for 69 yards and added four tackles on defense, while senior Zandrel Bellon had three receptions for 14 yards and made seven tackles on defense. Senior Gerardo Contreras had three carries for 4 yards and three tackles on defense.
Sophomore Alexander Shirvanian racked up nine tackles and a sack, junior Mark Dacles recorded nine tackles and recovered a fumble and sophomore Brady Aldrete finished with nine tackles. Seniors Freddie Rios Barrientos and Alejandro Maravilla each contributed five tackles, while seniors Andre Lopez and Greg Terzian each tallied four tackles.
The Nitros (2-0 overall) visited Mark Keppel High in Alhambra on Sept. 1; the nonleague game ended after the Glendale News-Press’ deadline and will be included in next week’s issue. Glendale will host Beverly Hills on Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. before hosting Verbum Dei High of Los Angeles on Sept. 14.
First published in the September 2 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
