By Rick Assad
Five turnovers that included four interceptions were at the center of why the Burbank High football team fell to Muir 28-0 on Thursday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium on the campus of Pasadena City College.
The Mustangs scored three first-half touchdowns and all were rushing tallies as they blanked the Bulldogs in an Arroyo League football game and now will need the CIF Southern Section selection committee to decide its fate with respect to the playoffs. If Burbank is selected it will be as an at-large entree.
Burbank still has one regular-season game left on its schedule and it’s next Friday at Memorial Field with a 7 p.m. start versus longtime city rival Burroughs.
Though senior quarterback Damian Corona tried his very best to move the Bulldogs (4-5 and 1-2 in league) down the field and into the end zone, his evening was filled with too many turnovers.
“I need to be better with the ball and deal with what the [offensive] line gives me,” he said.
Hector Valencia is Burbank’s head coach and agreed with his field general.
“Turnovers simply kept us out of the game,” he said. “It’s really hard to win versus a good team with five turnovers. Had we scored early in the first half, it would have changed the mentality of the game at least for us but giving up that third touchdown hurt us. All credit to their defense. They did a good job covering our guys.”
Muir led 7-0 after a Burbank punt as senior Deveon Blaylock Jr. carried the ball into the end zone on a 15-yard gallop as 6:31 was left in the first quarter. The seven-play drive consumed 51 yards.
Corona suffered his first pick on Burbank’s second possession, but instead of a 51-yard return for a score by senior Levelle Metoyer, the Mustangs went for it and came up empty as sophomore Langston Brinkley tossed an incomplete pass on fourth and 10 from the Burbank 26-yard line.
On Burbank’s next series, Corona threw an interception that was handled by David Cannon Jr.
This pick led to a 14-0 Muir advantage as junior Ralph Reyes tacked on a 45-yard scoring run as 11:19 remained in the second period. This march took just four plays and went 61 yards.
On Burbank’s next possession, Corona fumbled after gaining eight yards on a run.
The Mustangs (5-4 and 2-1 in league) didn’t locate the end zone on this series but did score on a two-yard run by senior Jason Brown as twenty-six seconds were left before halftime as Muir dashed ahead 21-0.
This was the longest scoring drive of the night as Muir marched 85 yards and used nine plays
On the last play of the opening half, Corona tossed another interception as senior Xavier Neatherly came down with the ball.
Valencia was pleased that his team marched down the field.
“We seemed to be able to move the ball at times but turnovers kept our defense on the field too long and allowed them [Muir] to start getting some rhythm on their plays,” he said. “Pass protection was rough this week with their solid defensive line.”
Muir seized command of the game 28-0 as Brinkley drilled freshman Marquis Garrett Jr. on a 31-yard strike that capped a 59-yard, three-play excursion.
