By Rick Assad
Five times the Burroughs High girls’ flag football team picked off the Temple City quarterback and the offense scored three touchdowns including two in the first half en route to a 19-0 pasting on Wednesday afternoon at Memorial Field.
The Rio-Pacific Conference clash was filled with tension as the Rams were able to move the ball somewhat, but too many turnovers were their undoing.
Senior wide receiver/defensive back Krystal Villalta was responsible for three of the picks for the Bears and senior wide receiver/defensive back Isabella Estrada (two receptions for four yards) had two interceptions.
On the very last play of the game, the Bears, who had possession of the football 11 times, were five yards away from a touchdown but senior backup quarterback/wide receiver/linebacker, Sabrina Coto saw her pass fail to land into the hands of a receiver.
After a stop on Temple City’s initial possession, the ball at the Temple City 40-yard line as senior quarterback/defensive back Chloe Zavala (13 of 27 attempts for 121 yards and one interception) directed the team across four plays that was capped with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Villalta (two receptions for 21 yards) as 3:20 remained in the first period.
Zavala’s pass for the extra point failed as Burroughs (6-5) jumped ahead 6-0.
Villalta’s second interception led to Zavala, who had a 20-yard run on the march, finding senior wide receiver/defensive back Geneva Kiefer (six catches for 68 yards) with a 22-yard strike as 2:50 was left before halftime.
Zavala teamed up with junior running back/returner Kayla Duran on the extra point try that made it 13-0 as Temple City (3-7) needed to make a concerted effort to score because it was slipping behind.
On the last drive of the opening half, Zavala located Kiefer with an 18-yard pass and after an incomplete pass by Zavala, the opening half was concluded.
Keith Knoop is the Burroughs head coach and was thrilled with the passing game.
“Our passing was really good and our defense also played well,” he explained.
Another pick by Villalta and a 37-yard return led to the Bears taking a 19-0 lead as senior Jasmin Varela carried the ball into the end zone from two yards away as 7:50 remained in the third quarter.
Early in the second quarter and after a Villalta interception, the Bears had the ball at the Burroughs 49-yard line as Zavala escorted the team to the Temple City 23 where the drive stalled.
On that 10-play march, Zavala saw Kiefer make three fine catches and they covered seven yards, 14 yards and six yards.
Zavala tossed one interception late in the third period but on that drive delivered a dazzling 21-yard pass to senior wide receiver/defensive back/punter Lily Indefenzo.
Burroughs lost its first game of the season versus host Castaic 19-9 but blanked host Saugus 13.0 on the next outing.
A victory at Hart 6-0 was next but a 19-18 setback at Gabrielino followed.
The Bears then ripped off two straight wins as Burroughs knocked off visiting Thousand Oaks 6-0 and added a 31-6 triumph over visiting South Pasadena.
Consecutive losses by Burroughs followed as it fell to visiting La Canada 13-0 and a setback to host San Marino 8-6.
Burroughs defeated host South Pasadena 19-0 but fell short at Monrovia 26-9.
Sophomore Sophia Lau, who plays running back and safety, was Temple City’s primary field general. Lau threw for some yardage and also ran for yards but also tossed five picks.
