By Steve Knez
BurbankNBeyond Staff Writer
Last Saturday was Homecoming Day for the Burbank Vikings football program. Now in its 43rd season, the Vikings recognized all their teams as well as coaches and cheerleaders at a ceremony at Burbank High School. More than 200 players are participating this season including 118 first-year players.
Week 7 results– October 6th
Calabasas Silver 24 Senior Green 22 (5-1)
In the final game of Homecoming Day, Senior Green suffered a heartbreaking 24-22 loss to Calabasas Silver at Burbank High School. The loss ruined the Vikings hopes of an undefeated season as they were held to less than 31 points for the first time in six games.
The Vikings offense struck first on their second possession of the game with a touchdown pass from Guy Gibbs to Antonio Tucker. Khalid Taylor rushed for the two-point conversion. Calabasas, an overtime loser in last year’s Super Bowl game, scored late in the second quarter to tie the game at 8-8 going into halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, Calabasas scored early in the fourth quarter to take a 16-8 lead. The Vikings answered right back as Taylor returned the kick-off 75 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt was no good and the Vikings trailed 16-14.
After a quick defensive series, Tucker returned a punt 30 yards for great field position. With 5:48 left in the game, Taylor scored a touchdown on a sweep to the left and Brandon Beardt rushed for the two-point conversion. The Vikings took a 22-16 lead.
Calabasas ate up the clock with a slow 70-yard drive culminating in a two-yard touchdown and a successful two-point conversion. With 31 seconds left in the game, the Vikings got the ball trailing 24-22. The Vikings marched 17 yards to the 30-yard line before a fumble on the last play of the game ended their hopes of a Homecoming comeback celebration.
Senior Green drops to 5-1 and will face Canyon Green on Saturday at Canyon High School.
Valley Bengals 32 Senior Gold 6 (4-2)
Senior Green had their four-game winning streak snapped in a 32-6 loss to Valley at Burbank High School. Gabe Pellot rushed for the Vikings only score of the game and Dyllan Esquivel had four catches for 89 yards. Their record now stands at 4-2; they play Canyon Gold this Saturday at Canyon High School.
SC Chiefs 26 Junior Black 6 (1-5)
Valley Bengals 47 Junior Green 18 (2-4)
Lancaster 69 Midget Black 0 (1-5)
(6-0) Midget Green 54 Canyon Green 0
The Mean Green Midget Machine struck hard and fast on Homecoming Day in a 54-0 thrashing of Canyon Green at Burbank High School. The Vikings scored a season high 54 points and remained undefeated at 6-0.
Highlights included a 50-yard rushing touchdown by Loyal Terry on the Vikings first play from scrimmage. Sebastian Leal scored on the next possession with a 40-yard rushing touchdown.
Playing on both sides of the ball, linebacker Issac Cordova recovered a fumble in the first quarter and threw a swing pass to Maximus Mota for a 54-yard touchdown on the very next play. Cordova later added his second TD pass of the game with a 15-yarder to Max Cotton.
More defensive highlights included an interception by Mason Gandara in the second quarter that he returned 45 yards for a touchdown. Gandara struck again in the fourth quarter with another interception for a touchdown. This time, he went 25 yards on the return.
Midget Green is now the only undefeated team in the entire Burbank Vikings program and they face Santa Clarita on Saturday at Burbank High School.
Canyon Gold 16 Bantam Black 14 (3-4)
(6-1) Bantam Green 60 N. Oxnard Black 38
Bantam Green celebrated an impressive road victory over North Oxnard Black at Oxnard High School. The highlight reel was loaded with Vikings clips as they cruised to their 5th consecutive victory. Their record now stands at 6-1.
Tyrese Yussuf, Anthony Spearman, Niko Candido and Mason Cotton all contributed to the scoring barrage as the Vikings scored from all possible outlets. The defense scored on an interception return, special teams scored on kick-off and punt returns and the offense was dominant once again. Bantam Green has scored 35 or more points in five of their seven games.
Bantam Green hits the road again this Saturday against Lancaster at Antelope Valley High School.
Calabasas 41 Bantam White 0 (1-6)
Ventura White 26 Pee Wees 8 (3-4)
Photo Gallery of pictures from “Homecoming Night” at Burbank High
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