Crescenta Valley Falcons soar after their victory

The flood of pride and appreciation from throughout the community continued to flow for the Crescenta Valley Falcons last Thursday as the local town council congratulated the football team for clinching its first CIF championship in more than 40 years.

The entire team, made up of dozens of players, gathered in the community room at the La Crescenta Library, where they each received a certificate of excellence and a pat on the back from members of the Crescenta Valley Town Council.

Before handing out the honors, Robyn Battles, council president, invited a few of the players to talk about how they pulled off a triumphant victory.

“To be on a championship team is the craziest thing in the world,” said linebacker Brody Bowers. “These are all my brothers right here. We created a family out of nothing and that’s what it was all about, that’s why we got far this year.”

On Dec. 5, the Falcons defeated Downey 21-14 at Glendale High’s Moyse Field to claim the CIF Southern Section Southeast Division Championship. It was a match that came down to the wire with quarterback Brian Gadsby throwing a 22-yard touchdown to Jordan Lobianco with just minutes left to win the game, which also capped a 14-0 season.

Parts of the game were nerve-wracking, especially early on, but things eventually started to come together, said defensive end Davo Hakobyan.

It was the first title for the Falcons since 1973 and that gap didn’t really faze the players, said Coach Paul Schilling.

He said reporters kept asking him whether his players never being in a big game was going to be a factor and it ultimately did not.

Those sentiments were echoed by wide receiver Connor Van Ginkel, who had five catches and ran 102 yards.

He said aside from football, he grew up with playing baseball and basketball with his teammates.

“We had a special bond that I don’t think any other team had going into this game,” Van Ginkel said. “We knew we were going to win because we were playing together as one, a whole team and that’s what makes us special.”

Following the big win, Gadsby was named the division’s Offensive Player of the Year, while teammate Hakobyan was voted Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

The Falcons were also recognized by the Glendale City Council at its meeting last Tuesday.

Council members congratulated the team for its undefeated season and title victory, including Councilwoman Paula Devine, who coached junior varsity volleyball players at San Gabriel High that went on to their own CIF championship.

“I hope all of you will continue to appreciate this very special moment in your life because it will live with you forever,” she said during the meeting.