By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

Just after the 2017 football season had ended, more than 15 players from skilled positions left La Salle for what they believed were greener pastures.

And each had their own reason for the departure.

On that list, quarterback CJ Montes (Long Beach Poly) and receiver Justin Lockhart (Serra) were probably considered the most noteworthy.

But since 2017, and among that group of highly-skilled athletes, none has had more collective success than Chris Wilson.

In his two years on the Arcadia baseball team, Wilson’s been part of a club that has gone 48-4,.

In his one season thus far for the Apaches’ football program, Arcadia went 11-3, and he’s contributed in major ways for both.

And while Wilson harbors no ill will towards his former school, La Salle’s loss was certainly Arcadia’s gain.

Wilson wanted to be a quarterback at both La Salle and Arcadia, and while that scenario didn’t pan out at either place, he’s had a penchant to make the best of any opportunity he’s been afforded.

In football, Wilson became a linebacker and tight end for Arcadia coach Andrew Policky.

The Apaches began the season 1-2, then went on a 10-game win streak before falling three-points shy of Kaiser in the D-8 title game.

Last season, on offense, he was used primarily as a blocker.

His 78 tackles was second to Jake Medders, and Wilson averaged seven tackles per game.

The one catch that he had in all of 2018 happened to be a touchdown against Muir.

He went from being a quarterback that took hits, into a bad-ass that was doling them out.

Prior to his first season for the Apaches football team, Wilson joined Nick Lemas’ baseball program in the spring of 2018, and instantly made himself a very heavy contributor.

In that sophomore season, Wilson went 8-1 on the mound with a 0.87 ERA.

His 56 1/3 innings was top amongst the Arcadia pitching staff.

Wilson walked 11 and fanned 46 in 2018, and opponents had just a .167 combined batting average against the 6-foot-3 pitcher.

Arcadia fell in the second round of the 2018 CIF-SS (baseball) playoffs, which surprised many, especially within the program, because they were so loaded with experience and talent.

But oddly enough, with a heavy graduation rate of star players, this Apaches’ team has benefited from a smaller roster.

To a man, Arcadia players will tell you how much the current team chemistry has been key in both winning 24 of the 25 games they’ve played this season, but also in the Apaches winning the Pacific League championship for the first time since 2011.

Through 25 games this season, Wilson is 10-1 with a 1.08 ERA.

He’s walked 11 and struck out 57 in 51 2/3 innings, including two complete-game efforts, one shutout and one save.

And when given the chance, Wilson has contributed nicely at the plate as well.

He’s batting .344, with 11 hits, five runs scored, three doubles and nine RBIs.

While his senior year (2019-20) will almost certainly be enormously successful both on the baseball and football fields, Wilson’s sole focus right now is to earn a victory on Tuesday.

The No. 1 seeded Apaches travel to El Segundo for the second round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs.

The Eagles (20-8) won the Ocean League with a record of 9-1, and they’re coming off a 6-4 victory over Santa Fe in their first round game on Friday.

Playoff games are incredibly tense, because one slip up means the time on the field with your boys, and the chance to win a CIF title is no longer a possibility.

And you don’t need to know much about baseball to understand that a pitcher shoulders the lion’s share of the pressure to keep a season alive.

Wilson, though, seems impervious to the pressure.

When talking to his teammates and coach, literally every one of them said one of Wilson’s greatest traits is his ability to stay even-keeled in the best and worst of times.

It’s allowed him to pitch his way out of jams and with the least damage done, and it’s something that has played a role in him winning 18 games against just two losses over the last two years.

Wilson’s intellect, preparation and work ethic have helped, along with his growing body (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) to dominate in any physical activity or sport he’s competing in.

Of the many reasons why he’s had so much success in his two years at Arcadia, and along with his ability to throw four pitches in any count, is the fact that he throws strikes and allows his defense to make plays behind him.

What makes this kid special as both a person and an athlete is his genuine goodness and humility.

The greatest example of many that I could cite is where Wilson stands within Arcadia’s pitching staff.

Last year, senior Caden Ross was considered the ace and finished 8-2 with an ERA just north of the 1.00 mark.

That meant it was likely that Wilson would be considered the defacto ace in 2019.

But then along came Preston Howey.

The same Preston Howey who was a JV shortstop last year and someone even Nick Lemas said wasn’t even on their radar as a pitcher.

To his credit, though, Howey has had an historic season, going 13-0, with a 0.59 ERA to lead all San Gabriel Valley pitchers.

So, Wilson would have to feel slighted, right?

No, in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Wilson’s only concern is Arcadia winning each time they put on that uniform, and he’s willing to do anything big or small to help the Apaches.

He appreciates Howey’s contributions and vice versa.

And Wilson doesn’t care about getting headlines either.

“I just want to do my part and I love when an opponent might underestimate me,” Wilson said. “I’ve always liked to be challenged and so far, I have been blessed enough to have had a lot of success at Arcadia because of great coaches and teammates. I love being at this school, because the expectations are so high, and the coaches and programs demand nothing less than excellence.”

Wilson also loves his teammates and credits all of them for both the collective and his individual success for this program.

Of all the great players, including Dustin Allen, Mikey Easter, Tyler Quintero, Jeffrey Castillo, Dominick Tello, Jacob Lopez, Preston Howey, Dylan Guerra, Brandon Nguyen and the list goes on and on, Wilson believes one guy doesn’t get the credit that he’s earned.

And that’s his catcher, Gavin Vogel, who allows Wilson, he says, to forget about any worries other than his job on the mound.

Wilson said that Vogel is so steady behind the plate and that’s he’s made a number of crucial saves and plays that have benefited both Wilson and Arcadia greatly.

Both of Wilson’s parents, Randy and Jane, are teachers and he credits them with his focus and desire to be the best person, student and athlete that he can be, and in that order.

The unconditional love and support Wilson gets from his parents is something he can’t accurately put into words, and he feels so lucky to have Randy and Jane at his side.

When asked where his “dream college” would be if he could write a blank check, he made it clear that he’d be happy and appreciative to fit in at any college, but when pressed, he reluctantly acknowledged that he’s always been a big UCLA fan.

The only real fault we could find in Wilson’s makeup is the fact that he’s a Chargers fan. That is obviously a joke from a lifelong Denver Broncos fan.

As Wilson progresses as a football and baseball player, a student and a young man, his future looks very bright.

The fact that he has a body that coaches and scouts desire in a top-flight athlete when it comes to earning a shot at the collegiate level, the fact that he never takes shortcuts, that he wants to be part of a group and not being a one-man show who gets all the credit makes Wilson a very attractive commodity and before next year is over, he will more than likely have several options as to where he’ll continue his athletic career.

And as they get to know him, any college or university would be proud to have a guy with Wilson’s character as a representation of both their program and school.

Until that time, though, Chris Wilson is going to be Chris Wilson, and that simply means working hard, respecting the game(s), being the best teammate he can be, and contributing in any and all ways he can for Andrew Policky and Nick Lemas’ programs at Arcadia.

Quotable:

Arcadia baseball coach Nick Lemas: “Chris is successful because he throws strikes and forces hitters to beat him by hitting the ball. He doesn’t give them too many free bases. He pounds the zone and trusts his defense.

(Regarding whether playing football and baseball helps him become better in both) He’s not able to do some of the off-season training because he’s in football. But football teaches kids how to compete and be tough. Both of which Chris is very good at. I think being a multi-sport athlete is a good thing. Unfortunately, it’s not as common as it used to be. And that’s a shame. But Chris is a great athlete and it would be a shame for him to not do both.

I love his composure. He doesn’t get too high or too low. No moment is too big. He competes his butt off and gives us everything he has. He’s also very coachable. A lot of times kids with that much talent are hard to teach because they think they know it all. That’s not the case with Chris. He’s very humble. He’s a great kid and a great teammate.”

Arcadia football coach Andrew Policky: “Chris was a starter at inside linebacker for us and was second on the team in tackles. He was probably our most physical defender. He played inside linebacker, but on offense, he was also our backup quarterback. We are looking for Chris to have a big 2019 for us on both sides of the ball. We want to integrate him into the offense more (next season) by playing him at tight end, and he will be the leader of our defense.”

Arcadia junior Dustin Allen: “We would not be where we are without him. He contributes both on the mound and at the plate. He is very humble and is committed to doing anything he can to help the team win games. Even when he’s not in the game, he brings a great intensity in the dugout that keeps everyone up. Being able to grow up together and now getting to share these moments together is awesome. I respect greatly how he’s able to keep a level head. Never will you hear him talk about his own success, but instead talk about everyone who has contributed.”

Arcadia junior Dylan Guerra: “Chris is a great friend and a great teammate. We’ve only known each other for about a year, but on the baseball and football field, he is a guy that comes up big and givess the teams all he can.”

Arcadia junior Preston Howey: “Chris is a flat out hard worker and he puts in a lot of work when we are at practice. He is constantly pushing himself to be better and it has been paying off for us. Chris is a very talented player, who always strives to be the best. He is a great teammate on and off the field and he consistently picks everyone up.”

Arcadia senior Jacob Lopez: “His importance is huge to our program. Chris is one of the biggest reasons that we are the team we are. The thing I respect most about Chris is how humble the guy is.”

La Salle three-sport athlete & close friend of Wilson, CJ Rettig: “When someone asks me what I think about Chris Wilson, I don’t think athlete right away. I think of what a great human being he is. He is a much better person than he is an athlete and that says a lot. I have been through a lot with Chris in our athletic careers and I think that has made him a well-rounded person. I have loved watching him excel at Arcadia due to his ability to change the game in any sport. He is a unique player because of the passion he brings along to the game as well as his size. His future is bright in whatever he may do, because of his comprehension in life and athletics. He has always been there by my side, which shows what a great friend he is.”

Getting to know Chris Wilson:

Favorite team: Chargers

Favorite athlete: Ladanian Tomlinson

Favorite movie: Napolean Dynamite

Favorite musical artist: Kanye West

Musical artist some might be surprised that I like: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Someone famous (alive or dead) I’d want a conversation with: Kobe Bryant

2019 Pacific League Baseball Standings:

Arcadia (24-1, 13-1)

Crescenta Valley (17-9-1, 10-4)

Burbank (10-13-1, 10-4)

Muir (18-7, 8-6)

Burroughs (10-19, 7-7)

Pasadena (11-14, 6-8)

Pasadena (11-14, 6-8)

Glendale (8-15, 2-12)

Hoover (1-27, 0-14)

2018 Pacific League Football Standings:

Arcadia (11-3, 7-0)

Burbank (7-4, 6-1)

CV (8-3, 5-2)

Muir (7-3, 4-3)

Pasadena (6-6, 3-4)

Burroughs (2-8, 2-5)

Hoover (1-8, 0-6)

Glendale (1-8, 0-6)