By Brandon HENSLEY

The start of school is a week away, but high school football season will officially arrive when the Crescenta Valley High Falcons open its season Friday at Glendale’s Moyse Field to take on the Redondo Union Sea Hawks. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

The Falcons of 2018 will look different than they did a year before with a young, inexperienced group taking the field.

CV cruised through its first six games undefeated last year, but lost three of its last four contests. It was a winnable game in the first round of the CIF playoffs against Mira Costa, but the Falcons gave up the lead – and the game – in the second half. The Falcons haven’t won a playoff game since winning the CIF Southeast championship in 2014.

Key returners this season include senior quarterback Cole Doyle, who played varsity since he was a sophomore. Doyle has 1,573 yards passing last year with 20 touchdowns, and 759 yards rushing.

Daniel Cho, Vinny Parrot, Colby Rees, Angel Ochoa and Chase Center are all experienced players who will be counted on as well.

CV has been moved down this year from Division VI to Division VII.

The usual non-Pacific League suspects the Falcons face – and beat up – in the first few weeks of the season are not on the schedule anymore. Verdugo Hills and La Cañada are gone; after Redondo Union, CV will play non-league opponents Santa Fe on Aug. 24 and Montebello on Aug. 31.

After a bye week, it’ll be the start of Pacific League action, with Muir High School on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.

  Brandon Hensley