Furlow Making His Mark

Out of the dust and wind of the Antelope Valley rises a prototype quarterback, a rare breed for a region known best for its running backs and smash-mouth style.

At 6 feet 2 and 185 pounds, Terry Furlow of Palmdale High resembles a young Randall Cunningham.

With one of the region’s stronger arms and an uncanny knack for scrambling away from pressure, Furlow has led the Falcons (2-0-1) to three thrilling finishes and their best start in four seasons.

Just how good is he?

Three good games do not a career make. But he is quickly gaining admirers.

Tonight will provide a good measuring stick, when Palmdale plays two-time defending Southern Section Division III champion Hart (2-1) and Stanford-bound quarterback Kyle Matter at College of the Canyons.

Operating out of Palmdale’s run-and-shoot offense, Furlow has passed for 696 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions, and has rushed for 119 yards and three touchdowns. He has rushed for five two-point conversions.

With little protection and few open receivers, Matter has thrown for 593 yards and four touchdowns, with three interceptions.

But unlike the proven Matter, Furlow, a senior, does not have a scholarship waiting for him, although letters have started coming in from several Pacific-10 Conference schools, Nebraska, Colorado State and Cunningham’s alma mater, Nevada Las Vegas, among others.

“He’s starting to catch a lot of people’s eyes,” Coach Jeff Williams said.

Furlow’s coming-of-age began last summer, when he emerged from the wreckage of a 2-8 season to lead Palmdale to a 42-1 mark in passing leagues and tournaments.

“You could tell then that he was on the verge of a special year,” Williams said. “His whole approach changed and the rest of the team began looking up to him. If there ever was a focal point for this team, it’s been him”

In the Falcons’ opener against Division VIII power Barstow, Furlow proved his mettle.

On the third play, a blitzing linebacker split open Furlow’s lip so badly Furlow could put his finger through the gaping hole and touch his teeth.

He kept his chin strap on to control the bleeding and stayed in the game, a 14-12 Palmdale victory.

“I didn’t want to come out,” said Furlow, who needed eight stitches to close the wound. “I figured I had the rest of the game to go before I could go to the hospital. Things happen for a reason. Maybe it was to make me tougher.”

The following week, he scrambled for two touchdowns and a two-point conversion in the final 15 minutes to rally the Falcons from a 15-point deficit to a 44-44 tie with Kennedy.

“I’ve watched him for four years now and he’s improved every year,” teammate Tyrone Culver said. “This is his year to shine and that’s exactly what he’s doing.”

The fourth of five children, Furlow is the only athlete in his family.

His mother, Annie Ray, never stressed athletics as much as being a good person.

One of Furlow’s older sisters works at a group home. Another is studying to become a nurse.

Furlow, who tutors children from his Lancaster church in bible studies, hopes to become a probation officer.

“My mom has always stressed not being selfish,” he said. “I would like to work with troubled teens and help them with their problems. I want to get them on the right track and make a difference in people’s lives.”

He’s making a difference for Palmdale.

Furlow is on pace to break the school’s season passing yardage record of 2,675 yards if Palmdale can advance to the second round of the playoffs.

The Falcons are favored to capture the Golden League title.

“He’s the heartbeat of our offense,” Williams said. “His ability to [turn broken plays into big gains] is the X-factor. That’s what gives defensive coordinators nightmares. How do you match up against that?”

You don’t, says Coach Mike Herrington of Hart.

“It’s an impossible task to accomplish,” he said. “You try to be disciplined on defense . . . but he does it all out there. He’s a big threat both running and passing.”

Furlow dreams of winning a section title but knows that probably won’t happen if the Falcons can’t stand up to Hart.

Hart has defeated Palmdale 10 consecutive times. Furlow has played in the last two. As a sophomore, he was called up to the varsity and filled in for starter Johnathan Thompson in a 44-7 loss. Last season, he completed 11 of 27 passes for 81 yards in a 45-0 loss.

“We have a real good team and I know we’re capable of beating Hart,” he said. “We just have to prove it.”

MATCHUP

HART

(2-1)

vs.

PALMDALE

(2-0-1)

At College of the Canyons

Tonight at 7:30

GAME DAY

* Hart attempts to rebound from loss to Westlake. D13.