Burbank High’s football team scored through the air, on the ground and via a fumble return, and after Thursday’s 49-0 shellacking of Hoover in a Pacific League game at Moyse Field, the Bulldogs hope to make a serious run at a league title over their final three games.
The Bulldogs led 14-0 after the first quarter, and 35-0 at the intermission before tallying a touchdown in the third and fourth quarter.
“We’re trying to get better every week because we’re preparing for a championship,” Burbank coach Richard Broussard said. “Everything we do is important. That’s our philosophy. Every rep, every snap. If we have a team-first mentality, then we’ll be able to keep up with the league.”
It looked easy against the over-matched Tornadoes (1-6 and 0-4 in league), who have scored six points in four league games and had 56 total net yards.
Despite the lopsided victory, Broussard wants to see an even better and more-refined product on the field. “We didn’t play well in the first half, but we played better in the second half,” he said. “I’ve got to do a better job. It’s on me.”
Burbank (4-3 and 3-1 in league) scored on its initial series when junior running back Andy Reyes (39 yards on five rushes) scored from nine yards out and capped a 65-yard, nine-play drive that made it 7-0 with 6:20 left in the first quarter.
“We’ve got to keep it going,” said Reyes, who had a 25-yard fumble return for a score that made it 28-0 with 3:40 left in the second quarter. “We need to get back to work. It’s still a long way until we play Burroughs [Nov. 6]. It’s still too early to talk about it, but we’re trying to get better each game.”
On Burbank’s third series, the Bulldogs, who have won four of their last five games, marched from Hoover’s 41-yard line and seven plays later pulled ahead 14-0 on a two-yard blast from sophomore running back Blake Quinteros (six carries for 15 yards) that made it 14-0 late in the first quarter.
It became 21-0 when junior defensive back Forest Fajardo intercepted Hoover junior quarterback Quinton Smith, and returned the football 23 yards as the Bulldogs took possession at the Tornadoes’ six-yard line.
Two plays later, Quinteros scored on a three-yard run and 4:51 left in the second quarter for a three-touchdown lead.
Burbank junior quarterback Guy Gibbs had a 13-yard scoring pass to Fajardo (27 yards on two catches) with 1:22 left in the second quarter that made it 35-0.
“Guy grew up tonight,” Broussard said of Gibbs. “He threw some darts in the second half. There were some dropped passes in the opening half, but he played well.”
Gibbs led the Bulldogs (312 total yards) on an 82-yard, 12-play march that ended when sophomore tailback Darnell Williams (45 yards on 12 carries) found the end zone from six yards out and 3:43 remaining in the third quarter as Burbank led, 42-0.
“I’m happy with my play,” said Gibbs, who hit on 12 of 23 pass attempts for 172 yards and no interceptions. “I’m maturing with the club. I think the offense can do even better.”
Gibbs went on: “Our defense did outstanding. I think that if we finish as a team, we’re going to be in the hunt for the league title.”
For good measure, Burbank pulled ahead 49-0 on a 12-yard sprint with 11:53 left in the fourth quarter from junior wide receiver Joey Miller (17 yards on two rushes).
Burbank’s next league game is at Arcadia on Oct. 23. The Apaches host Burroughs tonight in a contest for first place.
