In 1973, the CV Falcons, led by the late coach Gordy Warnock, defeated Monrovia high school 14-7 to win the school’s first CIF championship. Last Friday, 21 members of that legendary team came to Moyse Stadium to be honored for the amazing accomplishment. Among the attendees were all state players such as quarterback Brad Holland, running back Mark Miller and standout linebacker Paul Steinbacher, who made the ceremonial coin toss.

CV played crosstown rival La Cañada, sporting a record of 2-2. La Cañada received the opening kick off to start the game and had a very impressive drive going, getting inside the Falcon 15-yard line. Just then, senior defensive end Lachlan Blunt tipped a pass that was intercepted by teammate Andy Saryan, who took it back all the way for a touchdown, giving CV an early 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing possession, La Cañada again marched deep into Falcon territory, but CV’s defense once again stood tall and junior defensive lineman Jesse Flores recovered a critical fumble, ending another promising La Cañada drive. The Falcons wasted little time capitalizing on the turnover. On the next play, offensive coordinator Dennis Gossard, who was a young 26-year-old assistant coach for the Falcons’ 1973 championship team, dialed up a long bomb from the playbook. Senior quarterback Jacob Deno hit Saryan streaking down the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown strike giving CV a commanding 14-0 lead. Saryan added yet another touchdown just before the half to give the Falcons a 20-7 lead going into the break.

After the half, the Falcons would score twice more, on a Deno 20-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Xavier Thompson and again on a Deno QB sneak to put the Falcons ahead 33-7. La Cañada scored two touchdowns in the final minutes but it was too little too late. The Falcons were victorious 33-21, avenging a painful loss from a year ago and making the 21 members of the 1973 team proud.

“It’s hard for me to truly grasp that it has already been 50 years since it happened,” said Coach Dennis Gossard. “It doesn’t feel like that long ago.”

Saryan finished the night with three total touchdowns and numerous tackles on defense, and Deno finished the night nine of 15 with 174 yards passing and three total touchdowns. The Falcons improved to 3-1 on the season and face Hoover High on Friday for their final game before League play begins.

Submitted by Jerome SILVERMAN