A new start in 2009 for Nitros

GLENDALE — With longtime Crescenta Valley High coach and Glendale alum Alan Eberhart on the sidelines, much of the 2009 Nitros football season will have a newness to it.

But for the first time in a long time, Glendale will begin its campaign against a new opponent.

Alhambra had long been Glendale’s opposition during the opening week of the season to start a Nitros schedule that rarely changed.

But the Nitros will open up against Cathedral on Sept. 11 to kick off the 2009 season and Eberhart’s tenure.

“My understanding is Alhambra dropped us. I don’t know why,” said Eberhart, who took over the program after Rafik Thorossian stepped down and inherited a schedule that was already set. “We don’t know a lot about [Cathedral]. But they’re always a good, scrappy team.”

Cathedral, out of the Del Rey League, went 8-3 last season.

After that, Glendale, which went 6-4 overall last year, hosts La Cañada and South Pasadena before hosting Arcadia to open up Pacific League play and following with Crescenta Valley. All four games will be played at Glendale’s Moyse Field, as the Nitros have six games at their home field in ’09, with the contest against the Falcons technically a road game.

“It’s new to me, at CV every game is a road game,” said Eberhart of adjusting to a gameday schedule without having to travel. “I look forward to it.”

The Nitros defeated both La Cañada (4-5-1 last year) and South Pas (2-8) a season ago.

Arcadia began last year strong, but its numbers dwindled by season’s end. Eberhart, who briefly assisted the Apaches in the offseason before taking the Nitros job, believes this year’s Arcadia squad will be much improved.

“I know a lot about them,” said Eberhart of the Apaches, who went 4-6 in 2008. “They’re gonna be good.”

Both the South Pas and Arcadia contests fall on Thursdays.

Following the Apaches game will be a showdown with the Falcons, as Crescenta Valley’s homecoming game will see Eberhart coach for the first time against his old squad. It’s a game that’s already building hype, but that’s an aspect Eberhart believes his underdog Nitros must put aside if they’re to have a shot at prevailing.