By Vincent PAGE

The Crescenta Valley High School Falcon football team, have been lucky this decade with players like Brian Gadsby and Cole Doyle. Both were quarterbacks who, for the majority of their CV careers, started for the varsity team. A multi-year starter at quarterback is a huge advantage, one that the Falcons didn’t have going into 2019.

However, Chase Center has shown the poise needed at quarterback despite this being his first season as the starting varsity quarterback. He’s different than Gadsby or Cole in more ways than one, but so far he’s been everything head coach Hudson Gossard could have hoped for, and more.

After Monday’s delayed victory against Glendale High School (poor air quality forced the game to be postponed last Friday), Center has led the Falcons to a 7-0 start. And so far, they’ve yet to face a team that’s challenged them throughout a game. A large part of that is thanks to Center’s versatility. He has shown that he can beat teams through the air (897 yards and 13 touchdowns) while also using his legs (376 yards and six touchdowns).

His skillset was on display in the 28-0 victory against Glendale. Center was perfect as a thrower, completing all of his passes for 108 yards and a touchdown while also running in a 21-yard score. His numbers would have been even more impressive, but the Falcons rested most of their starters in the second half considering they’ll play their second game in five days this Friday.

So while the Falcons don’t have a multi-year starter in Center, who will graduate this year, they have everything they need at quarterback to contend for a Pacific League and CIF championship. In fact, Center might be the most complete quarterback CV has had in some time. Gadsby was a pure passer, while Doyle was a dangerous runner but erratic throwing the ball at times. Center brings a calm, controlled feel to the game whether he’s utilizing his arm or legs.

For Hudson Gossard, who’s also in his first year as head coach, Center has been everything he’s needed at quarterback. The two have already made a statement that CV is as good as ever, and they’ll look to continue their dominance this Friday at Glendale High School, where they’ll take on Santa Rosa Academy at 7:00 PM.

  Alyssa TSABETSAYE, Vincent PAGE