ROLE MODEL

They’re loading up on Carbs at Crescenta Valley High.

The Falcons just can’t get enough of Steve Carballo, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound multi-position, multi-threat athlete.

His quarterback can’t help but look to the speedy receiver first on every pass play.

His coach sends him out to play just about everything except the national anthem.

And opponents figure the key to defeating the Falcons is to somehow limit the damage done by the senior with a nose for the ball.

Carballo’s athleticism and versatility have made him a threat as the Falcons’ top receiver, defensive back, return man and punter.

“He’s a very special player,” Coach Alan Eberhart said. “He’s got absolutely all the skills and he gives us everything he’s got.”

This year, that has included a record pace for receptions.

He has caught 27 passes for 532 yards and three touchdowns, leading Crescenta Valley (4-1) into its Pacific League opener against Glendale on Friday night.

The school’s season record of 49 receptions was set by Andy Abbott in 1976. Carballo had 38 catches last season while playing in a run-oriented offense.

Crescenta Valley has almost always been a rushing team, with the passing game usually an afterthought.

The Falcons have produced 1,000-yard rushers each of the last six seasons.

But the offensive focus changed this season with the development of quarterback Scott Vossmeyer and Carballo.

Vossmeyer, on pace to break the school’s season passing record, credits at least some of his success to Carballo.

“Coach gets mad at me because I’m supposed to be making [defensive] reads,” Vossmeyer said. “But I just want to throw it to [Carballo]. He’s so fast and runs such great routes, I just know he’ll be open.”

Even when he’s not open, Carballo has found a way to come through.

During Crescenta Valley’s opening victory over Thousand Oaks, he pulled in a touchdown pass with one hand while falling to the turf with an opposing defensive back draped all over him.

One teammate brought the highlight tape home and repeatedly played it back in slow motion for his parents.

“I’ve seen a lot of catches in my 30 years in football,” offensive coordinator Dennis Gossard said. “And that was the best I’ve ever seen.”

Five weeks later, classmates still approach Carballo and ask him about that catch.

“I don’t like to brag about myself,” he said. “I was just fortunate that it landed in my hands.”

Had Crescenta Valley not gone to a passing offense, Carballo likely would have been a running back this year.

“If you put him in an I-formation and just pitched him the ball, he’d be very tough,” Eberhart said.

To prove the point, Carballo ran the ball eight times last week against Burroughs, all on pitches after he lined up at receiver. He gained 100 yards.

Described by coaches and teammates as the best athlete in the school, Carballo comes from strong athletic lines.

His brother, Jay Carballo, was a three-sport athlete at St. Francis High and went on to play baseball at Long Beach State and in the Kansas City Royals’ organization.

His sister, Vivian, was a softball player at Notre Dame High.

Steve Carballo also is a multi-sport talent.

He gave up baseball during his sophomore year because he was healing from a broken collarbone injured during football season.

Carballo plans to return to the baseball field next season, hopefully as the starting center fielder.

As a junior, Carballo spent the spring running track, where he participated in the 100-meters and the 400-meter relay.

He was clocked in the 100 at 11.2 seconds, an impressive time.

“Yeah, but I don’t know just how accurate that time was,” he says, shrugging it off.

Carballo says there is only one thing he would like more than becoming Crescenta Valley’s all-time reception leader--winning the Pacific League championship.

“My eyes are definitely on league,” Carballo said. “That’s what you play for.”

Next Friday, Crescenta Valley hosts Muir in a game that should go a long way in deciding the league champion.

That day will also be Carballo’s 18th birthday.

The Falcons have lost 19 of 20 meetings against the Mustangs.

“I couldn’t think of a better birthday present,” Carballo said.