Montclair Prep to Face Marshall Fundamental

After five weeks of dominating nonleague opponents, Montclair Prep (5-0) will begin Alpha League play against winless Marshall Fundamental (0-5) at 7:30 tonight at La Canada High.

Montclair Prep has outscored opponents, 202-20, and gained 1,050 yards more than the opposition (1,657 to 607). The Mounties lead Valley Southern Section schools in total offense, averaging 331.4 yards a game, and rank second in total defense, yielding 121.4 yards.

Marshall Fundamental Coach Lew Underwood, whose Eagles tied Montclair Prep last year for the Alpha League title, says that this is a “trying year� in Pasadena. The Eagle roster has been reduced to 15 players because of injuries and eligibility problems.

Montclair Prep’s touted backfield of senior Michael Jones and junior Derek Sparks might be running on only one cylinder again this week. Jones’ playing status is questionable after missing last week’s game because of a bruised knee.

Sparks moved from fullback to tailback and gained 215 yards in 11 carries and scored six touchdowns, five on consecutive carries. Sparks leads Valley rushers with 879 yards in 85 carries and has scored 17 touchdowns.