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CVs Mejia, Quezada sign letters of intent with Lumberjacks
Hawk teammates to play college football together
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Erik Mejia (pictured left) and Gabriel Quezada pose for a picture with Central Valley head coach Scott Edwards after signing with Humboldt State last week. - photo by Contributed to the Courier

Erik Mejia and Gabriel Quezada played football together for four seasons at Central Valley High School.

Mejia and Quezada will continue their athletic careers at the same college.

Erik and Gabriel signed national letters of intent with Humboldt State in front of family, friends, coaches, teammates and classmates on Wednesday inside Central Valley's gymnasium.

"We had a conversation prior to having our official visit in January," Quezada said. "We wanted to stick together. We know each other's games. We definitely feel we can make a big impact. He stops the run and I stop the pass."

"We have a good connection," Mejia stated. "We're going to bring the same chemistry to Humboldt."

"It's pretty rare to get two players from the same class going to the same place," Hawks head coach Scott Edwards said. "Their hard work paid off."

Mejia and Quezada led Central Valley to new heights this past fall.

The Hawks posted a program-best 9-2 overall record, claimed their first conference title and participated in the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Mejia was voted 2016 Western Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player.

Erik had 42 tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Quezada was named WAC Outstanding Defensive Lineman.

Gabriel had 44 tackles, 12 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Mejia and Quezada will team up with former Hawk Ja'Quan Gardner at Humboldt State this fall.

Gardner, Central Valley's and one of the Stanislaus District's all-time greatest running backs, has enjoyed a record-breaking career with the Lumberjacks.

"I look up to Ja'Quan," Quezada said. "I've watched him play. Now, we're going to be on the same team. He's a great player. He's an even better person."

"When Ja'Quan signed, it gave us hope," Mejia said. "He put CV on the map."

Humboldt State compiled a 6-5 overall record and placed third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings (3-5) in 2016.

Mejia and Quezada will add depth to the Lumberjacks' defensive line.

"Playing at the next level has always been my dream," Quezada said. "The plan is to have me compete right away. The college level is no joke. It will definitely be a challenge."

"There's a good chance of me playing freshman year," Mejia said. "I'm really excited."

"They're walking into a situation where they might have an impact right off the bat," Edwards said. "They're going to get some opportunities."