Column: Slender build, impassive poise from L.A. Cathedral’s junior QB
L.A. Cathedral junior has 89 TD passes in two seasons
Walking the campus of Los Angeles Cathedral High at lunchtime is quite a spectacle, seeing all the students dressed in purple polo shirts. There’s a long line in front of the cafeteria, which has daily specials such as super nachos, chicken nuggets, pizza and popcorn shrimp.
Andrew Tovar, a slender 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior quarterback, might want to add a few protein shakes to his diet. Either that or make sure his best friend is a lineman, because the Phantoms (10-1) need to make sure nothing happens to him on or off the field.
“He’s the best quarterback I’ve had,” Coach Kevin Pearson said.
Tovar has 89 touchdown passes over the two seasons. He has passed for 3,107 yards and 44 touchdowns this season going into a Southeast Division quarterfinal playoff game on Friday against host Downey. Last season, he passed for 3,530 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Steve Clarkson, a quarterbacks coach who has been working with Tovar since he was 12, said, “His ability to create something out of nothing is remarkable.”
What’s also remarkable about Tovar is that his expression rarely changes. It’s difficult to tell whether something went right or wrong. It’s gotten to the point teammates are looking for ways to tease him into a reaction.
“I don’t celebrate too much,” he said. “The team kind of laughs at me.”
During a Saturday morning film session he was caught out of character raising his fist in a brief celebratory reaction after a touchdown, and everyone was amused.
Asked when he might celebrate, Tovar said, “If we win the championship, I’m definitely going to celebrate. When it’s over and done and all the hard work has paid off, I’ll celebrate.’’
Tovar’s poise and focus go back to his freshman season, when he was forced to make a start against Gardena Serra as a 15-year-old after an injury to the starting quarterback.
The 2013 Serra team had at least 18 future college players on its roster, including USC’s Adoree’ Jackson, Jalen Greene and Deontay Burnett.
“I missed school on a Monday,” Tovar said. “I came back on Tuesday, ‘You’re starting this week.’ I had no idea who Serra was or how much talent was on the team. I don’t know how I got through that game. Crazy.”
Tovar passed for two touchdowns. Serra won, 45-14, but Cathedral knew it had discovered its quarterback of the future.
“Character is big,” Tovar said of playing quarterback. “You have to carry yourself a certain way. You have to be a leader on and off the field, be a role model to everyone, someone they can look up to. If they don’t trust you on the field, they’re not going to trust you in big-time situations when you need them or they need you. You have to be kind of the alpha on the team.”
Cathedral faced lots of adversity earlier this season when 10 players were suspended because of a hazing incident. Four ended up leaving the team. Players had to switch positions, and left tackle Dejon Stuckey’s move to center has been important in helping protect Tovar.
The other day, there was a long line at the cafeteria only for seniors, but a group of them decided to let Tovar cut in.
They’ve got to make sure their quarterback eats his super nachos.
Twitter: @LATSondheimer
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