Having moved up to Division 5 in CIF Southern Section football, Burbank High coach Adam Colman wanted to challenge his team so the Bulldogs would know what to expect come playoff time.
Burbank got a good sense of that level of play to say the least.
Moorpark, which featured a number of future major college football players, jumped out to a big lead early and defeated the Bulldogs 44-21.
The second half was played with a running clock after Moorpark led 37-0 at halftime.
“We knew it was going to be a good test and we’d be able to figure out where we stand. They went to the (Division 5) championship last year and I was alright, if you want to win this thing you have to be able to compete,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said. “You learn more from failure than success. One failure is worth a thousand successes in terms of learning.”
Burbank (1-1) actually played well in the second half to avoid what was a disappointing first half.
“We actually had a terrible week of practice and it showed. We were flat and mental errors,” Colman said. “We stopped doing the little things that got our program to where it needs to be. It is all fixable. Everything we planned all week we didn’t execute.”
Quarterback Matthew Porras scored on a 10-yard run with 9:45 to play. After a Moorpark turnover, Porras scored on a one-yard run with 7:25 left to make it 44-14.
Burbank then was succcessful in surprising Moopark with an onsides kick. One play later, Porras found Chadz Vang on a 34-yard touchdown pass with 4:45 left.
Moorpark (1-0) looked as if it was in midseason form.
After taking advantage of a Burbank safety that came as a result of a snap over the punter’s head, the host Muskateers scored on the second play of their first drive — a four-yard run from Alec Powell.
Moorpark quarterback Blake Sturgill, who is just a junior, was very impressive. He completed his first nine passes and finished 10 of 13 for 220 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
USC-bound receiver Drake London had three receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. He had a second touchdown called back on a penalty.
