Can one player make a difference? The answer is a resounding yes at West Hills Chaminade, where the arrival of quarterback Brad Kaaya in January of 2012 helped elevate a football program to where it is today: playing for a Division II bowl championship on Saturday at StubHub Center in Carson.

Kaaya went to Encino Crespi prepared to lead the Celts to prominence. Then Crespi took in a transfer quarterback from Oaks Christian, and Kaaya decided to look elsewhere after his sophomore season. He has developed into perhaps the No. 1 senior quarterback in Southern California. This season, he has 3,577 yards passing and 25 touchdowns.

But it’s his leadership and decision making in games that don’t receive as much attention as his touchdown passes. He’s cool and tough under pressure. And he can’t wait to face Enterprise for a bowl championship.

“It’s crazy,” he said. “Growing up, I was watching Westlake, Long Beach Poly, Mater Dei. It was always a dream of mind to play in a state championship. I went to Crespi my freshman year saying I want to win a state title in 2013. I’m getting pretty close.”


Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com