FOOTBALL: Valdez growing up fast at San Gabriel

Valdez playing beyond his years

By Scott Galetti, Staff Writer

SAN GABRIEL - As his team was performing under the intense heat during the summer passing league season, San Gabriel High School football coach Keith Jones was sweating over a fundamental decision.
That decision was which of his two quarterbacks, sophomore Isaac Valdez or junior Michael Varella, deserved to be named the opening-night starter.
Valdez got the call in the Matadors' season opener at Walnut, but Jones was ready to make an early switch if necessary.
A switch wasn't needed at all as Valdez finished his first varsity contest 13-of-21 for 210 yards and three touchdowns in a 44-14 victory.
"It was a gamble coming out that first night, it really was," Jones said. "The coin flip worked pretty well in our favor."
Although it was just one game, Valdez came away with a sense of confidence that he's been able to promote with his teammates.
"I was happy that I got the opportunity so I wanted to make the most out of it and make the coaches proud," Valdez said. "I felt like I had been under the lights for two years. It was a great feeling, especially coming out with a `W."'
The steady sophomore followed that effort with a 200-yard performance against South Pasadena, and 296 yards in a win over Temple City.
The only game Valdez has failed to throw for at least 200 yards was a 32-13 loss to Eagle Rock, the two-time defending CIF-Los Angeles City Section Invitational Division champion.
In his four games guiding the Matadors offense, Valdez has thrown for 810 yards and five touchdowns.
"The team really believes in what we do and really thinks that we have a strong chance of doing something good this year," Valdez said.
Part of that belief stems from the sophomore signal caller's poise and confident demeanor.
"I've always wanted to be a leader, that's why I chose the quarterback position," Valdez said. "I'm very comfortable with the people I have around me. My teammates, my O-line, and my receivers all believe in me and I believe in them, so it makes leadership easier and fun."
There are a few factors that can be attributed to Valdez's success.
Valdez has proven to be a very smart competitor who, according to the entire coaching staff, plays more like a senior.
The opportunity to play, as well as his early development, can also be traced directly to the tutelage of offensive coordinator Jude Oliva.
"I think the convincing factor (on making Valdez the starter) was Jude deciding it was his guy," Jones said.
Oliva, in his fifth season, is no stranger to developing inexperienced quarterbacks, having worked with former Star-News Player of the Year Frankie Bernard, Steven Gonzalez and Saile Ramirez.
"I'm really lucky to have him on my staff," Jones said of Oliva. "He inspires them and the kids feed off of that."
Added Oliva: "I take tremendous pride in what I do and like to say I'm a workaholic."
Oliva has now turned his attention to feeding quarterback knowledge into Valdez's game.
"Early in the season we go over tons of film and I would like to say that our quarterbacks are film junkies like me," Oliva said. "I tell them that in order to succeed, especially in our type of system, you have to know what you're doing pre-snap and as coverages roll and do those types of things."
Perhaps the most important element that Oliva works on with his quarterbacks is developing footwork.
"There are guys that have less than great arms and you see those guys on Sunday, like Brett Favre, that have unique mechanics and they're blessed with that big arm," Oliva said. "A lot of our guys, unfortunately, don't have those big arms, so footwork and balance are really instrumental in their success."
Added Valdez: "Some of the drills he's taught me, helped my footwork get better than before. When you have good footwork, it makes throwing and everything else easier."
Valdez, who also plays basketball at San Gabriel, excels in the classroom which, according to Oliva, directly ties into his poise on the football field.
"I always tell our kids that I want quarterbacks that get A's and B's first of all," Oliva said. "Isaac is currently something like a 3.8 student, so right off the bat he brings that intelligence to the game which we feel is really important in our system.
"He brings a tremendous amount of leadership and is really mature beyond his years. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that he's a sophomore."
Valdez began playing Pop Warner football in seventh grade with the Rebels where his relationship with Oliva began.
"I give all the credit and the most thanks to Jude Oliva," Valdez said. "He's the reason I'm really prepared, and I was fortunate to have a great coach like him coach me and teach me the ropes."
Valdez and his teammates will get another opportunity to shine on Friday when the Matadors (3-1) host undefeated San Marino.