An unlikely QB from L.A.

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Citadel Vs Samford Football

Citadel takes on Samford at Johnson Hagood Stadium

His fellow high school alums include actor Tom Selleck, NBA point guard Gilbert Arenas and, coolest of all, Monkees drummer Mickey Dolenz.

Proximity to Los Angeles studios means Grant High School in Van Nuys, Calif., has been used as a backdrop for such shows as "Malcolm In The Middle" and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." Among many other films, TV series, music videos and commercials.

He really likes hanging out at the beach in Santa Monica.

Overall, new Citadel quarterback Tommy Edwards is a typical San Fernando Valley guy.

Except that the true freshman passer led the Bulldogs to a 28-16 come-from-behind Southern Conference victory over Samford on Saturday at

Johnson Hagood Stadium, the most unlikely twist in an odd season for The Citadel.

Buried on the depth chart in August and expecting to redshirt as recently as a few weeks ago, Edwards got his first snap in the last two minutes of the first half Saturday.

Samford led, 10-0.

What are the odds?

With The Citadel now 4-4, Edwards' hero act might stand as the bridge to a winning season.

Not only did the kid throw for two touchdowns against the SoCon's No. 2 defense, he was playing against North Hollywood High School just a year ago.

But it makes more sense than the geography indicates.

Fitting in

Edwards' father, Don Edwards, and his brother, Jack Hager, went to Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina.

The Grant High School coaching staff ran a spread-option offense similar to the one Kevin Higgins and Co. use at The Citadel.

Edwards sent out highlight DVDs hoping for a scholarship, and patiently waited into April. With Lenoir-Rhyne and some NCAA Division III schools his next-best options, he says The Citadel was an easy call.

"I knew it was a great school at a high level of competition," Edwards said. "I guess I kind of broke with family tradition not going to Lenoir-Rhyne."

Fine by the Bulldogs. No one in Citadel blue seemed surprised by Edwards' performance. They have seen him practice.

What a whirlwind.

The Citadel played so well in an overtime loss to Appalachian State only to perform horribly the next week at Elon.

The Bulldogs upset Furman last week in a 38-28 shootout, and looked inept on offense for an entire half Saturday.

Only to be bailed out by a guy wearing a jersey without a last name across the back, an L.A. native fitting in nicely on a strange new campus.

"This is quite different than any other school, but I've been able to adjust well," Edwards said. "I have a great group of friends and great teammates and so far it's been great."

'Dream come true'

Edwards celebrated a 55-yard touchdown connection with running back Van Dyke Jones by following Jones downfield in full gallop. Edwards leaped on Jones' back amid the blue and white checkerboard design in the end zone.

"I had to do it," Edwards said. "It was a dream come true, my first touchdown pass as a college quarterback and on one of my first drives. So many emotions. Everything I worked for was in that moment."

Edwards' mom and dad missed the game-winning performance by a week. They were here last Saturday for the Parents Day victory over Furman.

"But they said they were going to keep track (Saturday) on the Internet," Edwards said.

Next time his parents come to town, maybe the family can celebrate the "dream come true."

Maybe at California Dreaming.

Reach Gene Sapakoff at gsapakoff@postandcourier.com or 937-5593.