Chatsworth Football Faces Big Expectations

There are heavy football expectations at Chatsworth High, a large school that is coming off an 11-3 season, including finishing as a runner-up in the City Section Division II championship.

Chatsworth opens Friday, Sept. 9, at Panorama, an opponent that defeated the Chancellors during the regular season last year—though eventually the result was overturned by forfeit—and also lost to Chatsworth in the playoff quarterfinals.

“I’m ready to start this season with a win and to redeem last year’s loss to Panorama,” receiver Anthony Urquidi said. “We want to show that Chatsworth can have two winning seasons in a row.”

Urquidi is among a small handful of returning starters; Chatsworth was hit hard by graduation. The Chancellors also are operating with a new coach, Andrew Kim, who has replaced proven winner Jason Camp, so there is a lot Chatsworth must do to prove themselves in the wide-open West Valley League, featuring annual power Taft, the top City Section program in the San Fernando Valley.

“I’m very excited for the season opener. It’s my last season in high school, and I just want to leave an impact,” running back Eric Waters said. “When the opener comes, I plan on playing hard and putting my body on the line for my team.”

Kim coached Chatsworth’s JV to an 8-2 record last season, so he is familiar with the personnel. The Chancellors scrimmaged Sylmar on Thursday, and now it’s all systems go.

“I’m excited about our team this year. We have a young team anxious to prove themselves,” Kim said. “We had a very productive summer, and we hope to continue to improve going into our first game. Our team has a lot of talented players, and we look to give the opposition different looks on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.”

Panorama lost an early opener Thursday, falling 24-21 to South Gate. That means the Pythons already have a game under their belt, which could prove to be an advantage, but it also means Chatsworth has had an opportunity to scout Panorama, but not the other way around.

At this early juncture, Chatsworth is focused on its own development, and that’s the way it should be.

“Our motto this year is ‘no excuses.’ Regardless of the difficulty, each player and coach will own up to their responsibilities to make sure this team succeeds on and off the field,” Kim said.