Quarterback Frankie Palmer leads the Lancers

By Eric Terrazas
Staff Writer
www.411whittier.com

WHITTIER – La Serna High School’s Frankie Palmer has put together a stellar career since taking over as the Lancers starting quarterback two seasons ago.

Palmer has helped guide La Serna to the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division championship game the last two seasons. La Serna, however, fell short in both title matches – losing to West Covina in 2011 and to Downey last year.

Now in his senior season, Palmer and the Lancers are looking to climb that final hurdle.

“We hope the third time is the charm,” Palmer said. “We want to get that ring – that’s our motivation this year. We just got to keep working hard and look to jell as a team. First, we got to take it game by game.”

After posting a 3-2 record during nonleague play, La Serna has started its Del Rio League slate in impressive fashion. The Lancers opened their league schedule Oct. 11 with a 35-14 win over archrival California.

They then delivered a dominating performance Oct. 18 against Santa Fe. Palmer helped lead the way for the Lancers, completing 13 of 18 attempts for 179 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-0 triumph.

“It feels great to start off league like that, especially against our rival like Cal High,” Palmer said. “We’ve been off and on but when we play together, we play good. We haven’t played our best football yet.”

La Serna (5-2 overall, 2-0 league) will seek to maintain its momentum Oct. 24 against Pioneer (3-4, 0-2). Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at California High.

Palmer is once again posting impressive numbers, throwing for 1,264 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has thrown only four interceptions while completing 90 of 148 attempts.

Palmer has also played a key role in the Lancers’ ground attack, rushing for 393 yards and three scores on 61 carries.

When he prepares for a game, Palmer thinks of some of the things he wants to accomplish.

“I just try to visualize some great plays I want to make or have made in the past,” Palmer said. “I listen to pump-up music to get ready for the game.”

Palmer hopes to continue his football career after high school.

“I want to play football at the next level,” said Palmer, who is considering Azusa Pacific University, UC San Diego, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Davis.

Palmer said he is leaning toward studying business or economics in college.

“My brother went through that and could help me along the way,” Palmer said of studying business and economics.

When he is not playing football or doing homework, Palmer said he likes to spend time with friends and travel to the lake.

“I like to hang out with my friends and go to the lake a lot,” he said. “I like to go wakeboarding, fishing and jet skiing.”
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