By Dick Dornan
MyBurbank Sports Editor
History was made Friday night. And it was made in an emphatic way by the Burbank Bulldogs. For the first time in school history, the Burbank High football program advanced to the CIF semifinals in the Southeast Division courtesy of their 42-0 win over Santa Fe at Downey High School.
The dominating victory marked the 10th win of the season for the Bulldogs, also a school-record.
Burbank (10-2) moves on to play at No. 3 La Serna next Friday, Nov. 29, at 7:30 p.m. La Serna (10-2) advanced after its 51-7 victory against Diamond Bar. The Lancers knocked out Burroughs in the first round, 55-7.
The Bulldogs scored on their first three offensive possessions of the evening taking the wind out of the sails of the Chiefs. Last week Santa Fe (7-5) upset No. 2 seed Diamond Ranch, 31-28. There would be no upset this time against No. 7 Burbank who rolled to a 28-0 halftime lead.
Burbank’s defense played its best game of the season with its second shutout of the year holding the Chiefs to 16 rushing yards and 61 yards passing.
With star running back James Williams limited to 35 yards on eight carries, Joseph Pendleton rushed for 94 yards on 18 carries and a pair of touchdowns. Tony Toledo ran for 54 yards on 10 carries and scored twice for BHS.
Quarterback Ryan Meredith had a strong game completing 14 of 18 passes for 198 yards. Toledo also caught seven passes for 93 yards.
Pendleton scored on a three-yard run to cap off a 14-play, 76-yard opening drive for a 7-0 lead. After a Chiefs’ turnover, the Bulldogs struck again when Meredith ran from one yard out to make it 14-0.
Two more rushing touchdowns by Pendleton and Toledo staked the Bulldogs to the commanding 28-point lead at the break.
In the third quarter, Meredith connected with Oharjee Brown (seven receptions for 61 yards) on a nine-yard pass for a touchdown and Toledo tacked on the final score on an eight-yard run to complete the scoring.
Here’s your tale of the tape for next week-
Burbank’s last five wins (56-14, 49-0, 47-21, 49-14, 42-0). La Serna’s last five wins (62-7, 56-7, 43-8, 55-7, 51-7). Two solid teams with potent offenses and stifling defenses.
The winner will advance to the CIF Championship game the following weekend.
