Diaz’s passing has Franklin flying

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There are other quarterbacks this season with more passing yardage than the 1,268 posted by Adrian Diaz for Franklin. but put that total in a different perspective, and it shows how far the junior has come from last year.

In 2006, Diaz was named starter after senior Anthony Rayas was injured in the season opener. ‘He did well,’ Coach Eric Jaimes said, consider the circumstances. But Diaz attempted only 42 passes on the season, completing 23 for 305 yards. He had one touchdown and two interceptions.

This season, Diaz has completed 91 of 150 passes. He’s thrown for 14 touchdowns and been picked off only four times.

‘It’s a combination of things,’ Jaimes said. ‘He knows our system better. And he has a couple of receivers in Rene Gomez and Patrick Donahue who are playmakers.’

Still, Jaimes didn’t fully grasp the level of Diaz’s improvement until this summer, when he helped Franklin win a passing league at Crescenta Valley. ‘That gave me the idea we had something,’ Jaimes said.

Diaz hopes to continue his hot play Friday, when Franklin opens Northern League play against visiting Lincoln. Each team is 4-1.

- Mike Terry