Burbank AYSO Region 254 Sends Six Teams to Bakersfield

By Dick Dornan
BurbankNBeyond Sports Editor

Burbank AYSO Region 254 has had quite the season. Since the start of the regular season that began back in August, six teams are still competing as they prepare for the upcoming Section 10 League Championships in Bakersfield on February 23 and 24.

The Girls U-19 team was crowned area and section champs, Girls U-10 and Boys U-12 took first place, the Scorpions of Boys U-10 claimed second and Boys U-14 finished in third.

Participation for Burbank AYSO Region 254 this year included 1,823 players on approximately 150 teams. The ages ranged from four to 18 for boys and girls.

Oscar Barraza, regional commissioner for Burbank 254, has seen an increase in participants during the four years in his role.

“Every year since I became commissioner the enrollment and registration has gone up steadily. We’re trying to do as much as we can to bring the kids into our region to have fun,” Barraza said. “The dedication of the coaches, of the parents and of the kids has been amazing. We are all happy that we have a big number of teams advancing. Hopefully we do well in Bakersfield and continue with our success.”

The regular season began in late August and ended around Thanksgiving weekend. Burbank 254 was one of eight regions from the San Fernando Valley who came together for the Area 10 League Playoffs to determine who would advance to Bakersfield. For one team to advance is an honor. When six earned the right to travel up north, Burbank had made its stamp on youth soccer this year.

“The pride goes without saying. We had eight teams qualify and six made it. We are all very proud of the kids,” Barraza said. “There are some people who are showing the pride by just going up there even though they don’t have a kid on the team. It’s a great experience for the kids and it’s great for our area and region.”

The Scorpions advanced to Bakersfield by virtue of winning the Region 254 playoffs and being named Burbank BU-10 regional champions in November. They followed up their success with a dominating performance winning three straight games by a combined 10-3 margin on January 19 in the Area 10 League playoffs.

The following day the Scorpions defeated North Valley #2, 2-0, but lost in the final, 2-0, to Balboa Park #1 to finish in second but still earn a berth to Bakersfield.

“The kids and the parents are equally excited about going. They are learning that there are more than just playing teams from Burbank,” Scorpions Coach Brian Priestley said. “I think it’s been a great season because the kids have become a lot better. They enjoy playing. They’ve gone this far and kids haven’t dropped out.”

“I’m very excited. This is the furthest our U-10 boys’ team has ever gone. They got second place in the area playoffs which were a big deal to them,” parent Ed Khourdadjian added. “I hope they are successful in Bakersfield. It’s a big deal. It’s a good way to create winning for them in the future.”