Burroughs’ Bell Has Banner Night, Indians Win, 55-21

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By Rick Assad

 

For one half, Burroughs High and Hoover played on even terms, but this all changed in the second half when the Indians scored seven touchdowns and claimed a 55-21 decision over the Tornadoes in the Pacific League opener on Thursday night at Moyse Field.

Front and center was senior tailback Chance Bell, who ran for a personal-best 333 yards on 23 carries with six touchdowns.

Bell had 247 yards on 13 rushes in the second half and added five touchdowns.

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Tailback Chance Bell ran for 333 yards and six touchdowns in 55-21 win over Hoover. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“I came out and performed,” said Bell, who has committed to San Diego State. “We had to adjust a little bit at halftime.”

Bell was coming off a 260-yard, three-fumble outing and loss against Diamond Ranch.

“That felt like a nightmare,” he said. “I knew they [Hoover] were going to try and stop me. They had a picture of me on their bulletin board. But it’s more than me. My offensive line blocks for me. My receivers block for me. It’s not just me. We’re a team.”

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Quarterback Hayden Zepeda passed for 62 yards on seven of 11 attempts versus Tornadoes. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

With this stellar performance, Bell etched his name into the Burroughs record book having the fourth most rushing yards in a single game and is tied for second in points scored with 36.

Zander Anding holds the single game mark with 393 yards against Glendale in 2011 while Dominique Barnes and Mike Barrett hold the standard with 42 points.

Barnes set his record versus Hoover in 2008 and Barrett against Valencia in 1995.

Hoover, which came in with its best start since 1958, held Bell to 86 yards on 10 carries in the opening half.

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Hoover quarterback Andrew Rangel tries to escape junior linebacker Kevin Hebri (#54) and senior defensive back Preston Hernandez, who had two picks. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Bell scored on a 48-yard burst with 44.6 seconds left in the first quarter that ended a 68-yard march and evened it at 7-7.

The Tornadoes (3-1 and 0-1 in league) pulled in front 7-0 on a two-yard scamper from senior running back Quinton Smith (17 carries for 69 yards) and 8:11 left in the initial period that finalized a 69-yard march.

On five straight series in the second half, Bell scored five touchdowns as the Indians (455 total net yards) took control.

Bell’s 43-yard sprint with 10:05 remaining capped a 55-yard excursion that made it 14-7 and his 73-yard dash and 6:01 on the clock pushed Burroughs ahead 21-7.

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Senior wide receiver Paul Bogart breaks free. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

When Bell found the end zone on a 17-yard trek and 3:46 left that ended a 58-yard march, the Indians’ lead swelled to 27-7 and Bell’s 12-yard romp with 1:05 showing extended the advantage to 34-7.

Bell’s final tally, a six-yard run, came with 9:11 left in the fourth period and provided Burroughs (2-2 and 1-0 in league) with a 41-7 cushion.

Junior running back Ben Peters (64 yards on four carries) made it 48-14 with an 80-yard kickoff return and also tossed in a 55-yard run with 4:13 showing to make it a 34-point spread.

Hoover scored a pair of touchdowns in the final stanza when Smith dotted the end zone from a yard out and 6:15 remaining to make it 41-14 as the Tornadoes went 80 yards.

The Tornadoes (372 total yards) lowered the lead to 48-21 when sophomore quarterback Andrew Rangel (16 rushes for 111 yards) chipped in with a 69-yard scamper and 5:15 showing.

Rangel passed for 93 yards on six of 12 with two interceptions while Burroughs senior quarterback Hayden Zepeda connected on seven of 11 for 62 yards.

Senior defensive back Preston Hernandez had two interceptions for the Indians.

Burroughs will next meet host Pasadena on Friday with a 7 p.m. start.