By Vincent PAGE

The Crescenta Valley High School varsity football team is already having a year to remember. It is 4-0 after defeating Hoover High School by a score of 54-22 on Friday night.

With that defeat, Falcon players have shown they can beat teams in blowouts. And they have also proven their ability to win tight games with a 34-31 victory against Barron Collier High and a 26-19 win in their matchup with Golden Valley High.

However, the Falcons’ biggest test is yet to come.

The Falcons will attempt to finish the first half of the season undefeated this week when they play the John Muir Mustangs on Friday. Muir currently sits at 2-2 on the season, and have lost their only league matchup. After losing to Arcadia last week, the Mustangs will look to get back in their groove this week against the Falcons.

While it does not seem like an even matchup on paper, the game will likely be closer than expected. Muir excels at the broken plays and gaining yards in big chunks. If there is any hesitancy regarding the Falcons this year, it is in these two categories.

CV has consistently allowed big play touchdowns and has also broken down when trying to keep the quarterback in the pocket. These result in long runs for a scrambling quarterback, and allow the opposing offense extra plays on the field.

Apart from the actual game, Muir was in the news this week after it came to light that the team would possibly kneel during the national anthem on Friday. Last weekend, many teams and players in the National Football League made statements protesting the injustice towards people of color in this country and remarks made by President Donald Trump.

Last season, Muir did decide as a team to kneel before the national anthem was played after a former player’s stepfather was killed in a dispute involving the police. This year, though, Muir head coach Antyone Sims said the team has not had a discussion regarding the matter.

On the field, Muir once again brings elite size and speed to the game. While Crescenta Valley has done a good job game planning against their opponents so far this season, the Falcons will need to be a disciplined unit this week. If defensive players are out of their assignment, it will cause trouble for them because Muir has always had an elite knack for exposing miscalculations and errors in judgment.

Friday’s game will once again fall on the shoulders of junior quarterback Cole Doyle. He, along with senior running back Joe Suh, will have to carry an offense that has lost two vital players to injury. Wide receiver James Baek suffered a broken thumb and cannot contribute on offense until he can play without a cast. Along with Baek, senior lineman Joe Ara suffered an MCL injury that will sideline him for three to four weeks at least.

The receiving core has still been solid in Baek’s absence, with wideout Tyler Lobianco and tight end Austin Novak getting increased roles so far.

Despite Muir’s 2-2 record, it still poses a threat to the Falcons. If the team cannot contain Muir’s big plays, it may find itself in a shootout.

The game kicks off at 7 in the evening at Glendale High School’s Moye Field on Friday, Sept. 29.

TOP: Backup quarterback Chase Center runs the ball on a quarterback run against Hoover.

BOTTOM: Tight end Brian Erickson makes a block against Hoover.

  Vincent PAGE