By Rick Assad
A brand-new football season was upon the Burbank High team, and it proved fruitful on several levels Friday night.
The Bulldogs scored five different ways and in the process blanked Cabrillo (Lompoc) 38-0 in a nonleague game at Kemp-Kallem Field.
Senior quarterback Damian Corona, who transfered from Crespi, tossed three touchdown passes.
“What I liked about my game was that I was comfortable behind the line and able to throw some sharp passes to my receivers,” said Corona, who finished the evening with 129 yards passing on eight of 22 attempts and two interceptions.”
Senior running back/linebacker Troy Wells and senior running back/outside linebacker Giovanni Bernardo each added one rushing score.
Freshman Andranik Brutayan chipped in with a field goal and three extra points and for good measure the defense tossed in a safety.
Overall, it was quite an opening night for Burbank (1-0), which has big plans for the season including a deep run in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
Hector Valencia is Burbank’s head coach and was happy with the victory.
“Our goal was to establish the run this season and be more balanced offensively. I think we did a good job with that this game,” he said. “Our defense handled the run well versus an established running team. Overall, I was pleased with the team and the way they rallied behind each other. The team was very supportive of each other.”
The scoring began with a little more than two minutes having elapsed as Corona, who was taking his first snaps as Burbank’s field general, led the team 50 yards and capped off the six-play excursion with an 18-yard shovel pass to junior wide receiver/strong safety Diego Plancarte.
“What I liked about the game was that me and my team got to show our hard work, and started the season with a win,” said Corona, who has a strong throwing arm and is capable of picking up yardage on the ground.
Valencia believes that Corona will get better with each game.
“I think the more games Damian gets under his belt, he will refine his throwing,” he said. “Overall I was pleased with his performance.”
The Bulldogs once again began a drive from midfield as the three play march was concluded with a 24-yard toss from Corona to Plancarte as 6:36 remained in the opening frame as Burbank led 13-0.
About a minute later, Cabrillo (0-1) was pinned deep in its own territory after Corona was picked off at the two-yard line.
On the first play, senior quarterback Logan Moss bobbled and then fumbled in the end zone resulting in a safety for a 15-0 Burbank lead.
The Bulldogs began the next drive at the Conquistador 34-yard line and on the fifth play of the march Wells (144 yards on 19 rushes) carried the ball into the end zone from six yards as 4:09 remained in the initial frame for a 21-0 cushion.
Burbank’s margin swelled to a commanding 28-0 with 8:56 left before intermission as Bernardo (13 yards on four carries) scored on a one-yard run that ended a 10-play, 63-yard trek.
The final points of the opening half were tallied by Brutayan, who drilled a 30-yard field goal with just under seven seconds left for a 31-0 lead and finalized a 53-yard, 10-play march.
“Our kicker did a great job for a freshman,” Valencia said.
There was no scoring in the third quarter, but Corona added his third scoring pass as Plancarte (101 yards on six receptions) hauled in a 17-yard reception that capped a five-play, 32-yard drive with 5:55 left on the clock in the fourth period.
“Diego looks great offensively and defensively,” Valencia said of Plancarte, who led the team in interceptions last season.
Junior wide receiver/defensive back Gavin Azizian chipped in with two receptions for 28 yards for the Bulldogs.
Burbank travels to Las Vegas for a nonleague game Friday night at 7:00 p.m. versus Centennial which lost to Cathedral (Los Angeles) 52-49 on Friday.
