Football:
Through week three of the 2025 season, Maranatha is now just one victory from matching its win total of a year ago.
The Minutemen never trailed in Thursday’s 42-28 victory at San Marino.
In their three wins, MHS (3-1) has defeated Arroyo, Artesia and San Marino by a combined margin of 125-49.
They said one’s true character can be measured by the way they respond to failure.
Last Thursday, the Minutemen endured a 43-0 ass kicking on their own field by the reigning two-time CIF-SS champions from Rio Hondo Prep.
But fast forward to September 11th, and Rand Holdren, his staff and their players turned the page and responded very well with a significant 14-point victory.
They led by as many as 28 points (42-14).
MHS picked up the ‘W’ without a number of key players due to injury.
In those same three wins, Maranatha quarterback Cooper Berry has tossed 14 TDs while being picked just one time.
In Thursday’s triumph at San Marino, Berry threw for 350 yards and five TDs.
Berry also scored his second rushing TD of the season.
Per usual, Berry’s favorite target has been two-sport star Nico Vergara.
Vergara caught 10 passes for 191 yards and two scores.
Through week three, Vergara has 33 receptions for 487 yards and six TD receptions.
All three of those totals lead the Maranatha receiving corps.
His longest TD on Thursday was an 80-yard reception in the first quarter.
Bradley Loiacono, Blake O’Brien and Moses Llamas caught one TD pass apiece.
Sammy Byrnes led Maranatha with 44 yards on 11 carries.
Berry had 40 rushing yards, including the one score.
Loiacono caught six passes for 52 yards.
Llamas totaled six receptions for 35 yards.
George Pamilton each had one interception for the MHS defense.
San Marino’s two-sport stud Chase Mena had another big game.
Mena had TD receptions of 73, 21 and 18 yards.
His final stats read five receptions for 133 yards.
Parker Wilson accounted for 310 yards.
He completed 10-of-24 for 220 yards, and he carried the ball 14 times for 90 yards.
Nathan Nielson carried the ball seven times for 50 yards.
Up next: The Minutemen will host La Canada next Thursday at 7.
The Spartans (3-0) face Crescenta Valley on Friday night, and through the first three games, LCHS has allowed just 26 points.
Quotable:
Maranatha coach, Rand Holdren: “The guys came together and played great. We had a lot of new guys in different spots due to numerous injuries and guys stepped up. Sammy Byrnes played a heck of a game on both sides of the ball. Sam Crisman and George Pamilton had huge interceptions down the stretch. Nico Vergara and Cooper did their thing and the o-line guys, more than half brand new, really stepped up and played well. We’re proud of this win. We knew San Marino was going to come out and play hard and we were able to match them. It’s a good win for us.”
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Box Score:
MHS: 14-14-14-0-(42)
SM: 7-7-7-7-(28)
Records: Maranatha (3-1); San Marino (1-3)
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