Dami Kim, social media director
The Norman varsity football team faced their third consecutive defeat of the season against South Pasadena High School on Sept. 28. The team was defeated by a score of 37-25.
The Normans took the lead in the first quarter with the game’s first touchdown by running back Montay Monroe.
“It was a great feeling when I got that ball to touch the end of the field,” Montay said. “I think it helped the team gain the momentum that we needed in the start of the game.”
South Pasadena retaliated scoring two touchdowns in the last two minutes in the first quarter.
Junior Yaniv Sadka noticed the increased intensity among the mascots, cheerleaders and the crowd as the game went on.
“As the game intensified, the crowd went wild,” Sadka said. “When we saw that our team was behind, we screamed even louder because we knew the team needed all the encouragement they can get.”
At the beginning of the second quarter, running back Ole Woods scored the second Norman touchdown, bringing the score to 13-14.
Just a few seconds after the Normans’s touchdown, a South Pasadena fumble gave the Normans possession. With about five minutes left in the second quarter, Woods successfully scored another touchdown resulting in a score of 19-14.
With seven-tenths of a second left in the second quarter, South Pasadena scored a field goal ending that half 19-17 Normans.
Injured linebacker Jared Forman was sidelined due to a recent knee surgery.
“It looked like [the team] was getting tired by then,” Forman said. “But, I had faith in my team to continue playing their best.”
With heightened intensity and rivalry, players from both schools were plagued with minor injuries in the third quarter.
At the beginning of fourth quarter, South Pasadena scored two more touchdowns putting them up 19-37.
In their final effort, the Normans scored a late touchdown, but it was not enough. The Normans lost the game 37-25.
Head coach Donald Paysinger remarked that the team played well but should improve on defense.
“The team’s defense lacked communication and accurate passes,” Paysinger said. “I think that if the players understand these components, we will certainly improve.”
With a record of 1-4 overall, the varsity football team will play against Inglewood on Oct. 5.