SOUTH PASADENA — South Pasadena is proving you don’t need to rely on a passing game to contend for a league championship.

Of course, it helps to have the special running back combo of Trey Freking and David Ortega. Freking rushed for a season-high 280 yards and three touchdowns while Ortega added 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tigers to a big 36-27 win over Monrovia in Rio Hondo League action on Thursday night.

South Pasadena (6-2, 3-0) now controls its own destiny to win a second straight league championship. The Tigers can claim the title outright by closing the regular season out with wins over Temple City and La Canada.

Monrovia (6-2, 2-1) is in a similar position as it was last season. The Wildcats also lost to South Pasadena last year but closed out the season with a win over San Marino to share the league title with South Pasadena and the Titans.

The Wildcats could do something similar this year by finishing the season with wins over La Canada and Pasadena Poly while hoping South Pasadena loses along the way.

Both Freking and Ortega were excited after the win over the Wildcats about their chances to win league.

“I see us going 2-0 in the next two games and hopefully winning league,” Freking said.

“We’re winning league for sure,” Ortega added. “We’ve gotten more and more physical every single week and I think we’re the most physical team in the Rio Hondo League for sure.”

The Tigers physicality allowed them to rush for 425 yards on Monrovia. As for passing—it was basically an afterthought. Tigers quarterback Andrew Nott only threw four passes, completing one for 26 yards. But why pass when your rushing attack is averaging nearly eight yards a carry?

“I’m very proud of the way our offensive line blocked tonight,” said South Pasadena coach Jeff Chi. “We knew it was going to be a battle in the trenches. They had a lot of grit and intensity and toughness to get it done.”

Freking and Ortega both credited the offensive line too.

“We can’t run the ball without them,” Ortega said.

Monrovia coach Jose Casagran left the game impressed with South Pasadena’s offense.

“(Ortega) is a stud,” he said. “I love that kid. I saw him before the game and congratulated him just on the season so far because every single game he stands out on both sides of the ball.”

Freking rushed for 280 yards on 33 carries for an average of 8.5 yards a carry. He was asked if he was tired after the game.

“I actually feel great to be honest,” he said with a big smile. “I’m really happy with this win and energized from that. I’ll do another 30.”

Ortega carried the ball 19 times and averaged more than seven yards a carry.