Glendale YMCA Quarterback Club: Team MVPs, scholar-athletes lauded
GLENDALE — The Glendale YMCA Quarterback Club, in its 72nd year, meets Tuesdays at the Elk’s Lodge. The following are odds and ends from the 11th and final meeting of the year.
TEAM MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS HONORED
Each of the high school teams handed out three postseason awards for junior varsity most valuable player, varsity most valuable player and for the top scholar-athlete.
Glendale High’s trio of lauded athletes was highlighted by senior running back Daniel Jung, the team MVP.
“Daniel’s done a great job for us regardless of what we asked,” Glendale Coach John Tuttle said. “It was always nice to know over the last three years that I could give him the ball. Plus, I don’t think he was caught from behind this year.”
Nitros senior cornerback/wide receiver Gevorg Gabrielyan, who sports a 4.1 grade-point average, was named the team scholar-athlete, while junior Luis Juarez was the junior varsity MVP.
Hoover honored two notable varsity players in seniors Andy Avina and Josh Lee.
Avina was listed as the scholar-athlete of the year as the offensive and defensive lineman was heralded by Hoover Coach Matt Andersen.
“It’s not easy dealing with a losing record, but [Avina] showed up to practice day in, day out with a positive attitude,” Andersen said.
Lee was the Tornadoes’ can-do player, having seen time on the offensive and defensive lines along with special teams action. Lee was awarded the team MVP.
Andersen said he hopes to build a strong foundation around sophomore quarterback Quinton Smith, the two-time junior varsity MVP.
Crescenta Valley, one of three area teams still alive in postseason, also gave out postseason awards.
Linebacker Sean Bloks was awarded the scholar-athlete award, while quarterback Brian Gadsby was tabbed as the team MVP.
“Brian received his scholarship for baseball from UCLA in the summer and we didn’t know if he’d come back, we really didn’t,” Crescenta Valley Coach Paul Schilling said. “But he decided to do it for his teammates, his friends and to finish what he started four years ago as our freshman team quarterback.”
Crescenta Valley’s Will Reese was named his team’s junior varsity MVP.
St. Francis broke the format by awarding four postseason awards.
Sophomore Daniel Scott was named the junior varsity MVP, while senior lineman Andy Cesta merited the scholar-athlete accolade thanks to a 4.06 GPA.
As for the team MVP, Golden Knights Coach Jim Bonds admitted he had difficulty making one selection, so he deviated from the plan.
“We’re looking to have a few more games and we have our team vote on our MVPs,” Bonds said. “So, this put some pressure on me to pick a guy, so I couldn’t. I begged to have two.”
Tight end/inside linebacker John Carroll was selected and shared the team co-MVP award with quarterback Jeremiah Martin, who likely had his season end when the senior broke his collarbone in St. Francis’ 49-14 victory over Mayfair last Friday.
VAQUEROS GOES BOWLING
For the first time since 2006, the Glendale Community College football team will head to a bowl game after defeating host Santa Barbara City College, 47-14, in Saturday’s regular season finale.
While Vaqueros seven-year Coach John Rome was excited to speak about his team’s Patriotic Bowl matchup Saturday at 2 p.m. versus Palomar College at Escondido High School, he also took time to reflect on the support the program has received through some of the down years.
“After beating Santa Barbara, we tied for the second-most wins in Glendale College history,” Rome said. “I want to thank everyone now. ... When we were struggling and when we were building the program you were always gracious to me. I really appreciate that. I’m so happy that we have a program that’s been winning, so far, on a consistent basis.”
In Rome’s first five seasons at Glendale, the Vaqueros did not post a winning record and combined for 11 wins.
Over the last two years, Glendale has gone 15-5 with one more big game remaining.
GADSBY MOVING UP QUARTERBACK WIN LIST
Gadsby’s magical run of success continued last weekend as the quarterback completed 13 of 23 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns in a Falcons’ 42-14 victory over Harvard-Westlake Friday in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Southeast Division playoffs.
With the victory, Gadsby improved his Crescenta Valley career record to 21-2, which ties him for most wins in franchise history with current offensive coordinator Hudson Gossard, who was 21-3.
Should the Falcons defeat host Paramount in Friday’s divisional quarterfinals, he will pass Gossard, which is something his coordinator probably wouldn’t mind.
“Hudson would love that and he’s said that,” Schilling said. “He would love Brian to break his record.”