By Brandon HENSLEY

An uncharacteristic performance by both the offense and the defense of the Crescenta Valley High football team led to an early playoff exit last Friday night. The Saugus Centurions came into Moyse Stadium and ended the Falcons’ season with a 38-29 victory in the first round of the CIF Division VI playoffs.

CV took a 15-14 lead at halftime, but turnovers led to Saugus building a 32-15 lead as the second half went on. The Falcons were never able to find their footing.

While it was another impressive season for CV – a 9-1 record and its second Pacific League championship in three years – this one had to hurt because of the miscues. Quarterback Cole Doyle threw three interceptions, including a costly one at midfield, picked off by Tahjeem Johnson, late in the fourth quarter when the Falcons trailed 32-29. Saugus took the ball and scored with 1:31 remaining, essentially sealing the win.

The Falcons also fumbled a kickoff return in the second half, which Saugus also recovered and turned into a touchdown on its next drive.

In the playoffs, teams can’t make many mistakes, and the number CV made last week proved too much for a team normally careful with the football. A versatile rushing attack (209 yards per game compared to 170 yards passing per game) and a stout defense propelled CV to a memorable season, but one game can undo everything. Omri Edwards had 11 carries for 91 yards, but no other rusher had more than 23 yards. Doyle was also pressured and hurried all game.

The Centurions were the ones who found large holes in the ground game, including an 80-yard run up the middle untouched to open up the scoring in the second half.

Including the playoffs, Doyle finished the season with 1,647 yards passing and a 65% completion percentage. He threw 15 touchdowns to eight interceptions. He also ended up being the second-leading rusher on the team with 520 yards and eight touchdowns. Joe Suh led the way with 614 yards and seven TDs. Others, like Edwards and Brandon Beardt, contributed to the rushing attack.

Andrew Traber (30 catches, 363 yards and six touchdowns) and Will Rees (494 yards) were the top receivers this year.

On defense, Ty Hill, Nobel Leduc and Chuck Weinmann led the way on a unit that routinely dominated opponents. CV gave up just 78 points in seven league games, good for 11.14 points per game.

Key returners for 2017 will include Doyle, defensive backs Grady Schilling and Tyler LoBianco, and lineman Destin Jordan, Riley Center and Tommy Chun.

Key seniors who are departing include Hill (safety), Leduc and Michael Alvarez (linemen), Weinmann (linebacker), tight end Max Meyer, Rees and Beardt.

Crescenta Valley won the CIF championship two years ago with a 14-0 record. They lost in the first round last season to Cathedral High School.

Since the beginning of the 2014 season, the Falcons have compiled a 30-6 record, including the postseason.

  Brandon Hensley