By Brandon HENSLEY

With the beginning of a new school year at Crescenta Valley High comes the hope of its fall sports teams competing for playoff spots and Pacific League championships. On Aug. 24, the CV varsity football will kick off its 2017 season – not in the foothills, but in Florida. With the help of tireless fundraising this year, the program was able to secure a spot to play in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. The Falcons will play Barron G. Collier High, from Naples.

The Falcons are coming off an undefeated league season last year, in which they captured the title for the second time in three years. CV went 9-1 overall, but lost for the second straight year in the first round of the playoffs. Junior quarterback Cole Doyle will be counted on to lead the team to the playoffs once again, and he’ll be supported by lineman Riley Center and Tommy Chun. On defense, look for defensive back Tyler Lobianco to make a big impact.

CV returns home to play Golden Valley on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. at Glendale High School’s Moyse Field.

The CVHS girls’ volleyball team made the playoffs last season under coach Kevin Boyke. This season, the program has a new head coach, Travis Dancer, who will look to lead the girls with a new-look roster. Gone are standout players Patty Kerman, Elise Boyle, Alyssa Pimental and Noor Alanizi. The team will now count on senior Marley Gang, juniors Teny Noordermeer and Maya Lightfoot, and sophomore Lizzy Kerman. The varsity will play in a Lakewood High tournament next week, and will open Pacific League play on Sept. 7 at Pasadena High at 3:30 p.m. The regular season ends on Oct. 24 at Arcadia High at 3:30 p.m.

  Brandon Hensley