By Brandon HENSLEY

The Crescenta Valley High School varsity football team is about to take a much-needed summer break after a hectic passing league schedule that began in May. The Falcons so far have gone 24-10 with two ties. Quarterbacks Ty Hill and Evan Nelson have split time at the position. Hill has been out recently with a sprained ankle.

“We’ve been going hard since about May 2,” said Head Coach Paul Schilling. “We’re tired and looking forward to a break.”

On Tuesday at CV, the Falcons hosted Sylmar in a scrimmage that lasted an hour and a half. Schilling thought the team looked sluggish. Nelson played the whole scrimmage under center. He threw two interceptions but also looked good running out of the pocket.

Schilling has not made a decision on who will be the starting quarterback when the season begins in the fall. Hill was presumed to be the starter as spring practice began, but Nelson has led the team to success in passing tournament games this spring and summer.

Hill, a junior, mostly played defense last year. He was an All-CIF defensive back for the Southeast Division champions. Since last year’s quarterback Brian Gadsby is moving on to UCLA to play baseball, Hill is trying his hand at the position.

“Everybody knows Ty is a phenomenal football player,” Schilling said. “It depends on where we think he’ll have the most value to our team. If it’s at quarterback, then it’ll be at quarterback.”

The Falcons host Eagle Rock for a scrimmage on July 7 at 4 p.m. Their last tournament is at Arroyo High School on July 11.

Schilling is excited about this year’s team, even though they are losing Gadbsy and key defensive players Matt Erickson and Jordan LoBianco. He named Hill and fellow junior Brandon Beardt as two players who have potential to be dominant in the Pacific League, as well as senior Bostin Lakin, a two-way player who was instrumental in the playoff run last season.

“We have good guys. There’s not a Jordan LoBianco, but we have young guys who have done a heck of job,” said Schilling.

“It’s the same as any of our years,” Schilling added. “We depend on staying healthy. If we are healthy, we’ll be a team to be reckoned with.”

  Brandon Hensley