By Stephen Ramirez
WHITTIER >> There’s an old adage that says you never replace the legend, you replace the guy who replaced the legend.
La Serna High School quarterback Enrique Pacheco is disputing that belief this season.
While former Lancer Frankie Palmer, who led La Serna to the school’s only CIF-Southern Section football title last season, will likely never be forgotten, Pacheco has made a strong accounting for himself while still living in a legend’s shadow.
He’s been a big key for the Lancers, who face Crescenta Valley in a CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division semifinal game at 7 p.m. on Friday at Glendale High School.
Enrique Pacheco: “Frankie was one of the greatest quarterbacks that this school has ever seen. He taught me a lot, he taught me about the game. He taught me a lot about this offense, showed me the ropes. He prepared me, knowing when he was gone, I’d be the next guy. I just try to take everything that he gave me and incorporate it into my style. I was always told there was big shoes to fill, but I didn’t try to outplay my own abilities. I just tried to keep it simple and lead the team as best as I can.”
La Serna coach Margarito Beltran: “You will never replace Frankie. He was a special talent who took us to the championship game three years. Going into the year, (Pacheco) knew what he was up against. He had been back up the last couple of years, but they are different type of quarterbacks.Enrique does a great job of running our offense and being a leader out there. He has presence, and that’s what we expected from him. We knew we had a very good quarterback in the waiting. We knew he was going to perform, and he’s met and exceeded our expectations.”