By Jerome SILVERMAN and Mikaela STONE

The CVHS Falcons’ homecoming game on Friday against the Burbank Bulldogs left a sour taste in the mouths of the Bulldogs.

After playing poorly against Muir in a losing effort last week, the Falcons were hell-bent to return to their winning ways. Burbank took the opening kickoff to start the game and, despite making a decent drive down the field, the Falcons’ defense put the clamps on the offensive push and stopped Burbank on a fourth down attempt. The Falcons’ offense took over, gutting Burbank’s defense. With an arsenal of bullet passes and a solid ground attack, CV capped a drive with a touchdown run from senior BJ Hermansen, making an early score of 6-0. Burbank scored on its ensuing drive, but CV answered right back. Quarterback Jacob Deno found sophomore receiver Xavier Thompson on a quick pass to the outside and Thompson made a dazzling run of dodges and jukes, going 72 yards for a touchdown. The Falcons added one more touchdown before halftime on a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch by BJ Hermansen, taking the score to 20-7 going into the break.

The Falcons started the second half strong receiving the Bulldogs’ kickoff. Junior Tyler Matsuda, on his first ever kick return of his career, made a sensational dash to the end zone, going 94 yards and putting the Falcons up 27-7. This play gave the Falcons the boost the team had been looking for and it carried over into the defense. The Falcons’ defense swarmed Burbank the rest of the game making every yard gained a struggle. The Bulldogs had a promising scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, but it was not to be as CV senior captain Jake Dunlavey intercepted a pass and brought Burbank’s scoring drive to an abrupt halt.

CV added one final touchdown in the fourth after sophomore Leo Grant punched one in from two yards out to give the Falcons a commanding 34-7 lead. The Falcons got a big win in front of a very crowded homecoming crowd and it was perhaps the best game the Falcons have played this season.

The final score was 34-14 Falcons, and CV improved to a very impressive 5-2 record.

The Falcons hit the road on Friday to take on Pasadena High School where they hope to keep the momentum rolling.

Last Friday’s game was historic in that it marked the last Crescenta Valley High School homecoming game played on another school’s field. While the Falcons await the construction of new bleachers so that home games can truly be held at home, the band played on and this year’s homecoming royalty was crowned. The court consists of freshmen Shabazz Anderson and Cassidy Chung, sophomores Anashay Boghosian and Jennie Nakano, juniors Lucas Cho and Amanda Sales, and seniors Sabrina Soh, August Anderson, Tao Tokikawa, Claire Kim, Hannah Ampil, and Rena Jeoung.

Before the halftime ceremony Rena Jeoung, a member of the royal court and the CVHS marching band drum major, still conducted the band through the school song whenever the Falcon football players scored, wearing a beautiful silver homecoming dress. Homecoming court members Sabrina Soh and August Anderson both said that neither of them had expected to be nominated by their peers.

Soh noted that what made the experience the best was “the people [they] were chosen with. That it is senior year with people we know well makes it rewarding.”

Anderson praised the Associated Student Body, saying that the ASB made her feel very comfortable. While Soh was surprised by being chosen for the court, the crowning had a bigger revelation in store for her: she was crowned homecoming homeo while the crowd cheered. The student body crowned Tao Tokikawa beside her as homecoming king – a victory he hopes to celebrate by “just [having] a good homecoming [and] hanging out with friends.” A number of these friends from the CVHS dance team showed up to support him.

Although the homecoming court had fun and had photos taken at the football game, the work does not stop for royalty. Many of the court members, including Tokikawa, took the SAT the next day.

The festivities continued throughout the game with the marching band showcasing the color guards’ new red and black uniforms that acknowledged the tango theming of their field show “It Takes Two” and the addition of a light post for ambiance. Perhaps bolstered by it being their home game, the Falcon football players won the game, adding to what was hopefully a happy homecoming game and dance for everyone who attended.