The Glendale High School varsity football team accomplished a feat that hasn’t been achieved since 1992.
The Nitros made it five wins in their opening five games following a 35-8 victory over Verbum Dei Jesuit High on Sept. 14, boasting a 5-0 overall record for the first time in more than three decades.
Senior quarterback Jonathan Wells played a key role in the win against the Eagles, completing nine passes for 121 yards and a touchdown while adding 19 rushing yards and a touchdown on two carries. Senior Alfred Intriago rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Sophomore Gevork Papazyan rushed seven times for 57 yards and a touchdown, while senior Sergio Avalos caught a pair of passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Jason Martinez made three receptions for 38 yards, while sophomore Rudy Cuellar recorded three catches for 24 yards. Senior Alex Idolor carried the ball three times for 24 yards. Additionally, sophomore Patrick Caceres went 3-for-5 in PAT attempts.
Sophomore Alexander Shirvanian anchored the defense with 10 tackles and a sack. Senior Freddie Rios Barrientos registered six tackles, junior Mark Dacles contributed with four tackles, 0.5 sacks and a fumble recovery, and senior Austin Aldrete recorded three tackles while also recovering a fumble. Sophomore Brady Aldrete added three tackles and a sack, while senior Moises Zermeno finished with two tackles and 0.5 sacks. Senior Luis Rodriguez, senior Brandan Guzman and sophomore Jonathan Valenzuala each tallied two tackles, while senior Gerardo Contreras, senior Andre Lopez, sophomore David Leyliyan Hayastan and freshman Maniel Manuelian were each credited with one tackle.
The Nitros hosted Glenn High of Norwalk on Sept. 21; individual statistics and results were not available prior to the Glendale News-Press’ deadline and will be included in next week’s issue. Glendale will hit the road for a pair of upcoming nonleague games at Bassett High in La Puente on Sept. 29 and at Rowland High in Rowland Heights on Oct. 6.
First published in the September 23 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
