The Nitros (20-6) will make the program’s second semifinal appearance and first since 2000, when they suffered a 12-6 loss to Upland at Pasadena City College. A victory against Webb (28-3) will send the Nitros to the championship match against second-seeded Rio Mesa (26-4) or third-seeded Crescenta Valley (20-8) at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the same venue.
“I’ve been getting e-mails from other teachers, and it’s neat that we are getting recognition,” said Holbrook, whose team advanced to the semifinals Saturday with an 11-9 quarterfinal win against fourth-seeded Walnut at Burbank High. “It’s neat getting recognition, especially for the guys.
“The goal at the beginning of the year is to win CIF. In order to do that, you have to beat the best teams. We know that Webb is one of them.”
The Nitros, who had a first-round bye before earning a 16-5 second-round road win against Cajon on Thursday, haven’t faced Webb this season. Webb won the Prep League championship before also drawing a first-round bye. It then went on to beat Orange, 19-4, before topping Hoover, 18-10, in a quarterfinal match Saturday.
Glendale might have to turn in its best offensive performance of the season. It also might encounter its most physical match to date.
“From what I’ve seen, they have got a number of strong players who can shoot from the outside,” Holbrook said. “They will be very fast, big and physical.
“Usually, we are the physical team. So, we haven’t seen it too much against us.”
The Nitros will turn to junior hole/set Gor Asryan, junior driver Martin Narinyan, senior driver Simon Grigorian and junior goalkeeper Haik Chatalyan in an effort to eliminate the talented Gauls.
