By Tania Tchalikian
The night was truly eventful at Memorial Field as the Burroughs High football team had their Senior Night, followed by a 34-3 win over Crescenta Valley on Friday as the Indians now share a portion of the Pacific League championship.
The game consisted of many penalties on both sides. When the Indians got penalized, they made sure to overcome it, while not allowing the Falcons to use it to their advantage.
Crescenta Valley had numerous turnovers, which caused the Indians to run with it, literally, and score.
The game turned into a running game very early on. Penalties against the Indians gave the Falcons an advantage, however, the Indians’ defense did not allow those penalties to affect the game as they made sure to hold back the Falcons’ offense.
Crescenta Valley threw two interceptions, one that led to an Indians touchdown by senior linebacker Connor Garden.
Although the Falcons had opportunities to score, they were unable to produce as Burroughs’ stingy defense held them to only a field goal.
A remarkable play in the second quarter by senior wide receiver Robert Awunganyi on a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown gave the Indians a 21-3 lead.
It’s safe to say the teams wanted to show their running skills. Senior quarterback Steven Hubbell was more comfortable running the ball as he too ran in one for a touchdown.
He preferred the running game against the Falcons. “Tonight running definitely, the pass game wasn’t… I couldn’t get a rhythm but I’ll be ready next week,” said Hubbell, who completed four of eight passes for 70 yards.
Hubbell went on to say the defense by the Falcons was one he hadn’t seen in a while.
“They had a lot of different schemes. We haven’t seen an eagle look in a while,” he said.
Still Hubbell believes his team played a good game. “The team played well, the defense played amazing. I’m personally not happy with my performance, but I know I’ll be prepared next week.”
The Indians are undefeated in league, and are going to face big-time rival Burbank next Friday as Burroughs hopes to get the conference title to itself.
Senior running back Ash Hawkins got to see some playing time where he showed his skills and ability.
Hawkins gained 80 yards on 13 carries and definitely contributed to the team and continued what junior running back Chance Bell had started.
Hawkins described what he felt and how it was like going out there against the defending league champion Falcons.
“I feel pretty good about it. It was a good game. I just wanted to help the team win. I just wanted to go out there and pick up where the other running backs left off,” he said.
After Bell hurt his shoulder in the first quarter, he sat out the rest of the game and that’s when Hawkins got his time under the bright lights.
Bell hopes to be back against Burbank. He said he will have it checked out. “Going to get an X- ray on Monday and we will see how it goes. If it’s not too bad, then I’m going to play on Friday,” Bell said.
Either way, Burroughs tends to figure out a way to fill in any position needed. When senior kicker Cade Borland, who also plays wide receiver, went down with a concussion a couple of weeks ago against Arcadia, the Indians were able to fill in his position during the game and improvised and went on to win.
Burroughs may be great for doing “spur in the moment” calls.
