Tigers Charge Ahead: South Pasadena Advances with Commanding Playoff Win

South Pasadena’s postseason debut could not have gone much better. On Friday night, the Tigers unleashed a dominant rushing attack to defeat San Marcos Royals (Santa Barbara, CA), 42–17, securing their fifth consecutive victory and keeping their championship hopes alive.

Running back Trey Freking once again proved why he’s one of the Tigers’ biggest assets. He tore through the Royals’ defense for over 260 yards and found the end zone four times, three on the ground and one through the air. His consistency has become a game-changer — South Pasadena’s success often mirrors his performance.

The Tigers’ offense didn’t rely on Freking alone. Rick Matsuda added two more touchdowns, further boosting a run game that overwhelmed San Marcos from start to finish. By the final whistle, South Pasadena had piled up nearly 460 rushing yards, marking the fourth time this season they’ve surpassed the 200-yard mark — and remained unbeaten whenever they do.

Now sitting at 7–4, South Pasadena looks poised and confident as they continue their playoff journey. For San Marcos, the season ends at 4–7, but not without the hard-fought effort that brought them this far.

South Pasadena High School, 1401 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena, (626) 441-5820 or visit www.sphstigers.org.