FOOTBALL: Santa Fe QB Mahlstede ready for big season

SANTA FE SPRINGS – The job description for a quarterback, in addition to the obvious physical attributes, includes bringing a certain level of confidence to the table.
It’s that mental makeup that separates the average from the good and the good from the great.
Santa Fe High School’s Christian Mahlstede fits the bill, going right for the jugular Monday when he was asked about his expectations for the Chiefs this season.
“CIF champs,” Mahlstede said.
His comment was pure, simple and to the point.
But while some may view it as arrogance, the senior also has the tools, both physical and mental, to back it up.
Malhstede, the grandson of longtime Santa Fe coach Jack Mahlstede, and son of Jeff Mahlstede, who played for the Chiefs and Arizona State and who is an assistant at Santa Fe, is expected to be one of the better quarterbacks in the area, and a big reason why Santa Fe begins the season as the favorite in the Del Rio League and a team that could challenge for the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division title.
“He’s got great knowledge of the game and understands it,” said Santa Fe coach Jack Mahlstede. “He’s got great speed and can throw the ball.”



He also has the intangibles for success, and a big part of it came after he fought back from an early-season injury to start the final five games for the Chiefs last season.
Mahlstede’s passing numbers were limited, but he proved to be a solid
multiple threat, rushing for 258 yards while averaging nearly 9 yards per carry.
The stretch run, which included Santa Fe advancing to the divisional quarterfinals, gives him a solid advantage going into this season.
“There’s nothing new that I’m not used to,” the senior said. “It’s a new offense, so I’ll have to pick it up and run it.
“But you’re always going to have some complexities to each and every offense, and you’re just going to have to adjust to it.”
Malhstede is also good at living up to the family name, which includes playing for his grandfather Jack and dad, Jeff.
“You’re always going to get that, nepotism and all kinds of comments,” Christian Mahlstede said. “You just have to look past that and play your best. Let your (performance) speak for itself.”
Receiver Joey Davis, who is expected to be one of the top wideouts in the area, knows that the younger Mahlstede has earned his spot behind center by deed.
“You have to be ready, because he can throw the ball hard,” Davis said. “He’s a really good quarterback. I’m glad to have him my senior year.
“We both came back (after injuries) together. I’m glad to be one of his receivers, hopefully I can make him look good.”
Christian Mahlstede, who will lead the Chiefs when they open the season on Sept. 3 with a trip to Hamilton of Chandler, Ariz., is also playing this season with a chip on his shoulder.
Santa Fe, which finished second behind La Serna in the Del Rio League in 2010, fought back to advance to the Southeast Division quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion West Covina, 47-7.
It’s a loss that still eats at the senior, along with his Santa Fe teammates.
“Whenever you have a game like that, you want to redeem yourself,” Mahlstede said. “That’s a motivation factor for us, a burning fire inside that keeps me going every day.”

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