In short: South Pasadena Tigers high school football (South Pasadena, CA), 2026 season: 8-3 in the Boulder League. Last game: L 17-34 vs Segerstrom on November 6, 2026. Schedule and results, player season stats, stat leaders, unit grades, ScorePirate ranking and the game-by-game log.
The biggest worry in South Pasadena's season has been the direction of its defense. South Pasadena forced 2.0 takeaways per game over its first 6 games (4-2), #49 in CIF-SS in that timeframe. Over the stretch of 5 games that followed (4-1), the Tigers have forced 0.5 takeaways per game, a 75% drop, #346 in CIF-SS in that window. The schedule has a lot to do with it: South Pasadena's last 5 opponents have averaged 1.1 per game, a #171 offense in CIF-SS on the season, against 1.6 per game, #298 for the first 6. Measured against those opponents' norms (1.1 per game), South Pasadena forced 56% fewer turnovers than those offenses usually give up. On the season, South Pasadena ranks #167 in CIF-SS in takeaways.
South Pasadena's offense from the opening weeks has gone missing since. The Tigers averaged 34.0 points per game over their first 8 games (6-2), #75 in CIF-SS during that time. Over the stretch of 3 games that followed (2-1), South Pasadena has averaged 12.7 points per game, a 63% drop, #329 in CIF-SS through those games. The schedule has a lot to do with it: South Pasadena's last 3 opponents have averaged 17.0 points per game, a #78 scoring defense in CIF-SS on the season, against 24.1 points per game, #209 for the first 8. Measured against those opponents' norms (17.0 points per game), South Pasadena scored 26% less than those defenses usually allow. The level of competition matters too: in ScorePirate's SP Strength Index, the last 3 opponents average a rating that would rank #193 in CIF-SS, well above the first 8 (#273), so the dip has come against better teams overall. On the season, the Tigers rank #151 in CIF-SS in scoring.
Something changed for South Pasadena's ground game after its first 4 games. South Pasadena averaged 5.4 yards per carry (746 yards on 139 rushes) over its first 4 games (2-2), #194 in CIF-SS through that stretch. In the 7 games since that slow start (6-1), the Tigers have averaged 7.5 yards per carry (1,433 yards on 191 rushes), a 40% rise, #62 in CIF-SS over that stretch. The schedule deserves some of the credit: South Pasadena's last 7 opponents have averaged 6.1 yards per carry, a #243 run defense in CIF-SS on the season, against 5.5 yards per carry, #182 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (6.1 yards per carry), South Pasadena ran for 22% more per carry than those run defenses usually allow. Overall, though, those opponents have been lower-level teams: their average SP Strength Index rating would rank just #253 in CIF-SS. On the season, South Pasadena ranks #102 in CIF-SS in rushing.
The Tigers averaged 5.7 yards per play (1,085 yards on 189 snaps) over their first 4 games (2-2), #258 in CIF-SS within that period. Few teams started slower in this department, and few have turned it around as sharply since. In the 7 games since that slow start (6-1), South Pasadena has averaged 8.0 yards per play (2,003 yards on 250 snaps), a 40% rise, #85 in CIF-SS across those games. The schedule deserves some of the credit: South Pasadena's last 7 opponents have averaged 7.2 yards per play, a #260 defense in CIF-SS on the season, against 6.6 yards per play, #204 for the first 4. Measured against those opponents' norms (7.2 yards per play), South Pasadena gained 11% more per snap than those defenses usually allow. Overall, though, those opponents have been lower-level teams: their average SP Strength Index rating would rank just #253 in CIF-SS. On the season, the Tigers rank #147 in CIF-SS in yards per play.
South Pasadena's run defense has stuffed the run as the season has developed. South Pasadena allowed 6.5 yards per carry (547 yards on 84 rushes) over its first 4 games (2-2), #282 in CIF-SS during those games. In the 7 games since that slow start (6-1), the Tigers have allowed 5.1 yards per carry (877 yards on 171 rushes), a 21% drop, #129 in CIF-SS during that period. The schedule doesn't explain it: the opponents in both stretches have averaged about 5.3 yards per carry on the season. Measured against those opponents' norms (5.4 yards per carry), South Pasadena held those rushing attacks 6% below their usual yards per carry. Overall, though, those opponents have been lower-level teams: their average SP Strength Index rating would rank just #253 in CIF-SS. On the season, South Pasadena ranks #187 in CIF-SS in run defense.
TIDBITS (10 found)
• Club The last time South Pasadena went a game throwing for 200+ yards was September 12, 2025 against Golden Valley (L, 13-34). Since then South Pasadena has gone 20 straight games being held under 200 passing yards, a school-record 20 straight in the 22 seasons on record.
• Club South Pasadena is 28-0 all time when holding the opponent under 10 points in the games on file (28 such games).
• Club South Pasadena is 37-2 all time when holding the opponent under 150 rushing yards. South Pasadena's last loss when holding the opponent under 150 rushing yards was August 23, 2024 against Schurr (L, 0-28).
• Club South Pasadena is 18-2 all time when forcing 3+ turnovers. South Pasadena's last loss when forcing 3+ turnovers was August 28, 2026 against Maple Mountain (L, 14-36).
• Player Evan Hyun has 468 rushing yards over his last 4 games (117.0 a game, October 9, 2026 through November 6, 2026) -- his most in a 4-game stretch on record.
• Player Rick Matsuda has 34 tackles over his last 4 games (8.5 a game, October 9, 2026 through November 6, 2026) -- his most in a 4-game stretch since the 36 he had from October 3, 2025 through October 24, 2025.
• Player Cody Robinson has never had a game throwing for 200+ yards for South Pasadena, over a 20-game career on record. His career high is 173, set August 21, 2025 against El Segundo (L, 34-62).
• Player Toshio Matsuoka has never had a game making 10 or more tackles for South Pasadena, over a 30-game career on record. His career high is 7, set November 7, 2025 against San Marcos (W, 42-17).
• Player Lorcan Swift has gone 8 straight games without intercepting a pass. The last time he intercepted a pass was August 28, 2026 against Maple Mountain (L, 14-36) — 1 interception.
• Player Lorcan Swift has gone 5 straight games without catching a touchdown pass. The last time he caught a touchdown pass was September 18, 2026 against Franklin (W, 49-13) — 1 TD catch.
SCHEDULE STRENGTH
South Pasadena has played a middle-of-the-road schedule in the pool so far (#254 of 405).
Schedule so far · 1 = hardest
#254 of 405
avg opponent rating -0.5 over 11 games · 0 vs top-25 CIF-SS
@Peninsula W 35-8Maple Mo… L 14-36San Gabr… W 31-0La Canada L 22-29@Franklin W 49-13@Burroughs W 42-7Crescent… W 49-21Gabrieli… W 30-3@Pasadena W 2-0@San Mari… W 19-14@Segerstr… L 17-34
Each bar is one opponent, placed by where its rating ranks in this pool (tall and red = top 10; short and green = bottom half). Hatched bars are games still to play; the dashed line is today.
MILESTONE WATCH
South Pasadena
Rick Matsuda needs 3 tackles for 50 (averaging 7.8 a game)
Every player with a stat on file, listed only where he has one. Open the arrow beside a name for his game-by-game line. Stats through the Nov 6 game; last updated Nov 12; roster and numbers checked Oct 6.
Click a column heading to sort. MIN hides players below that many attempts.
Rio Hondo LEAGUE CHAMPION (4-1 in league, shared with MONROVIA, SAN MARINO)
Section and state results and Players of the Year: CIF-SS Record Book. League finishes judged from league schedules on file (2022-2025 seasons); earlier league titles are not on file.
1 game(s) beyond a normal 10-game regular season are on file, confirming a postseason appearance -- but this library has no playoff-round/bracket source yet, so the exact round reached or final result is not available.
SP — 2026 OVERALL AVERAGES
SPLIT
GP
PPG
OPP PPG
YPG
OPP YPG
PLAYS/G
OPP PLAYS/G
OVERALL
11
28.2
15.0
308.8
287.1
43.9
46.8
HOME
5
29.2
17.8
276.2
270.4
40.0
46.0
ROAD
6
27.3
12.7
341.4
308.0
47.8
47.8
PPG/OPP PPG use every played game on file. YPG/PLAYS-PER-GAME columns only ever come from games with a full box score on file, which can be a smaller sample than GP -- see the coverage note below when that's the case for this team.
Averages use only games with that number on file (offense 10/11, defense 9/11, sacks/INT 10/11, sacks allowed 9/11, turnovers 10/11 games). SACKS ALW comes from the opponent's box score; TO FORCED is takeaways; TO MAR is takeaways minus giveaways, and its bottom cell is the season total. Dashes mean not on file.
UNIT INDEX
Pass Offense: grade 35.4/100 (-45 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Offense: grade 83.0/100 (+80 yds/gm vs average)
Pass Defense: grade 72.9/100 (-36 yds/gm vs average)
Rush Defense: grade 56.1/100 (-14 yds/gm vs average)
Unit grades: 0-100 league percentile, adjusted for the opponents faced.
OPPONENT TRACKER
(full explanation: Appendix, Note 1)
DATE
SITE
OPPONENT
THEIR RECORD
THEIR PPG
1900-01-01
at
PASADENA
0-10
1.4
LAST YEAR
SP finished 2025 at 8-5. Made the playoffs (3 postseason game(s) on file; exact round/result not available). Notable win: 23-22 over LA CANADA (LA CANADA finished 83% that season). Toughest loss: 21-28 to VALLEY VIEW (7-point margin).
"N/A" stands in for a box score that does not have stats entered. A total followed by a count in parentheses covers only the games with that stat on file.
TALKING POINTS (15 storylines)
SP HAS PERFORMED BEST THIS DATA SET WHEN...
• SP commits fewer than 2 giveaways (.962), and has won 7 straight when doing so
• SP averages 6.0+ yards per play (.846), but most recently lost to Segerstrom when doing so
• SP holds its opponents under 150 rushing yards (.938), and has won 15 straight when doing so
• SP averages 5.0+ yards per carry (.793), but most recently lost to Segerstrom when doing so
• SP's defense has averaged 0.5 takeaways per game over their last 3 games. Their 36-game average is 1.4 takeaways per game. (-63%)
• SP's offense has averaged 12.7 points scored per game over their last 3 games. Their 37-game average is 29.1 points scored per game. (-56%)
• SP's offense has averaged 1.5 giveaways per game over their last 3 games. Their 36-game average is 1.1 giveaways per game. (+42%)
• SP rushes for 219.0+ yards (SP's own median) (.944)
• SP holds its opponents under 7.5 yards per attempt (SP's own median) (.938)
• SP's defense has averaged 13.1 points allowed per game over their last 7 games. Their 37-game average is 21.2 points allowed per game. (-38%)
• SP averages 6.3+ yards per carry (SP's own median) (.944)
• SP holds its opponents under 156.0 rushing yards (SP's own median) (.938)
• SP holds its opponents under 8.0 yards per attempt and under 5.0 yards per carry
• SP is 18-2 (.900) when it wins the turnover battle
• SP's offense has averaged 77.0 pass yards per game over their last 5 games. Their 35-game average is 111.1 pass yards per game. (-31%)
SP's defense has averaged 0.5 takeaways per game over their last 3 games. Their 36-game average is 1.4 takeaways per game. (-63%)
SP's defense has averaged 13.1 points allowed per game over their last 7 games. Their 37-game average is 21.2 points allowed per game. (-38%)
SP's defense has averaged 9.9 YPA over their last 3 games. Their 33-game average is 7.6 YPA. (+30%)
SP's defense has averaged 186.0 rush yards per game over their last 3 games. Their 33-game average is 151.7 rush yards per game. (+23%)
SP's defense has averaged 117.1 pass yards per game over their last 15 games. Their 33-game average is 146.7 pass yards per game. (-20%)
(moved to the Appendix, Data Export 1, to keep this section shorter -- the full spreadsheet-paste table is there unchanged)
APPENDIX
Full-length explanations and full-size data exports for the shortened notes and relocated tables referenced throughout this report, numbered in the order their pointers appear above.
Explanatory Notes
Note 1 -- OPPONENT TRACKER -- why some cards have no record shown
Only meaningful for an opponent who is ALSO a tracked team in the library -- an opponent with no games on file here at all shows the date and site alone.
Note 2 -- MOST IMPORTANT NUMBERS -- how a number is scored
Every split this report computes is scored on how strong the number is and how much it sets this team apart from its opponent and the rest of the field, and the top 5 per team are listed. A condition needs at least 8 occurrences to count.
Full Data Exports
Data Export 1 -- TRENDS — TAB-SEPARATED (10 columns)
Where SOUTH PASADENA sits among 399 section teams on the two Unit Index composites -- Offense Grade 63.2, Defense Grade 62.4.
PASS YARDS ALLOWED / GAME: SOUTH PASADENA VS THE SECTION
SOUTH PASADENA ranks #25 of 356 section teams in passing yards allowed per game (30.5) -- a strength worth a look.
SOUTH PASADENA: SP STRENGTH INDEX BY SEASON
The program's index across 5 seasons on file -- 5.0 in 2022 to 6.3 in 2026.
These graphs were chosen by the program from this season's most notable numbers. Build your own -- any stat against any other, for any mix of teams, seasons or players, with a JPEG download -- in the Graph Builder.
