Tag Archives: Burbank Football

A Look Back at the Best of 2018

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The 2018 year in sports in Burbank was not the best, nor the worst on record. The best individual performances were in track and field, as Burroughs Jagdeep Chahal was the CIF Southern Section Division 1 champion in the boys 1,600 meters. Elizabeth Switzer led the Burroughs girls’ track team by qualifying for the state championships in the pole vault. Burroughs golfer Kiara Hernandez was also outstanding in being the best in the Pacific League. The following is a look back at the best teams that Burbank and Burroughs highs put forth in 2018.

10. Burroughs boys soccer
The Indians went 15-9-1 in 2018 and finished second in the Pacific League with a young core that was made up mostly of sophomores.
Carlos Rosales led the midfield and Carter Wells became the heart of the defense. Freshman Manny Gonzalez scored 16 goals, a program record under coach Mike Kodama. This group will get only better in 2019 and 2020.
9. Burroughs softball
The Indians finished runner-up to Crescenta Valley in the Pacific League standings. But Burroughs once again put together a solid season, finishing with a 14-5-1 record and advancing to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs. Pitcher Presley Miraglia moved to play at Cal State Long Beach.
8. Burroughs girls soccer
The Indians had a stellar season going 15-3-3 overall to place second in league. Burroughs won its first CIF Southern Section playoff game since 2009 with a wild-card victory over Brentwood School. Freshman Lauryn Bailey and junior Abbie Riggs were two of the Indians’ key offensive players. Olivia Cashman and Emily McHorney were two other top players.
7. Burroughs girls cross country
The Indians finished second in the Pacific League behind Burbank, ending a domination by Crescenta Valley and or Arcadia, that had won the league title every year for more than a quarter century. Burroughs also went on to advance to the CIF Southern Section finals. Sophomore Jordan Guzman and freshman Sophia Navarro led the way for a team that figures to have created arguably the most competitive rivalry with Burbank High of any in the city.
6. Burbank football
The Bulldogs turned in yet another fine season, even though they lost the league title to Arcadia. Burbank won every game it was expected to win and put together a fine 7-4 campaign. Seniors Matthew Porras, Erik Harutyunyan and Duncan Smith will definitely be remembered for the mark they left at the school and all are projected to play in college.
5. Burroughs girls basketball

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The Indians turned in another fine season in 2018, finishing with a 23-8 record and a share of the Pacific League title. The team was blessed with a solid freshmen core who are now sophomores, led by Faith Boulanger and Kayla Wrobel. This has consistently been one of the top teams in the city under veteran coach Vicky Oganyan and that doesn’t appear to be changing any time soon.
4. Burbank boys track and field

The Bulldogs captured the Pacific League dual meet title in coach Darin Wolf’s final season. Burbank counted on hurdler Sergio Aguilar, as well as a solid sprint crew led by Cole Le’au, Oladele Hospidales and Bryan David. Victor Goli led a deep and young distance running core.
3. Burroughs girls volleyball

(Photo by © Ross A Benson)

The Indians had an outstanding season under coach Edwin Real. capturing the Pacific League title. Burroughs went 27-9 and reached the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section 3 playoffs, narrowly losing to eventual CIF champion Village Christian in five games. Juliana Van Loo went on to earn All-CIF honors. Burroughs figures to be strong again next year with Lydia Grote returning to lead the way.
2. Burroughs boys volleyball

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The Indians won their ninth consecutive Pacific League title under coach Joel Brinton. Burroughs also advanced to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1 playoffs, only to be eliminated by national power Loyola of Los Angeles. Diego Rosal and Cole Kaitz were the leaders for Burroughs.

1. Burbank girls cross country

Sol Fernandez

The Bulldogs won their first league title outright since 1978 and advanced to the CIF Finals, finishing 10th in Division 1. Burbank was led by senior Shalom Mejia and junior Sol Fernandez. Although this was an experienced group that will lose several top runners to graduation, there is a great group coming up replace those that will depart. Expect Burbank to be very strong again in 2019.

Burbank Football Halted by Glendora

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If Xavier Ford didn’t suit up for Glendora High Friday night, Burbank might still be in the CIF Southern Section Division 5 playoffs.

The Glendora junior tailback had 20 carries for 295 yards and five touchdowns, as the Tartans defeated Burbank High 56-35 in a first-round contest at Citrus College.

“It was all due to the offensive line. It was a team effort,” Ford said. “I’m just happy we got the win. They (Burbank) were a very respectful team. All props to them.”

The loss ends the season for Burbank at 7-4. Second-year coach Adam Colman was very emotional when speaking about his players, many of which he coached at the junior varsity level two years ago.

“It’s a special group. A lot of them were along for the ride in 2016. They showed the heart of champions last year and this year. I’m proud of them,” Colman said.

Burbank quarterback Matthew Porras thanked his teammates.

Photo by © Ross A Benson

“For four years everyone put everything on the line. We didn’t go down without a fight,” Porras said. “Everyone cares so much about each other. It’s been an unbelievable ride having your brothers behind you.”

In the final game of his career, Porras completed 27 of 39 passes for 337 yards with five touchdown passes and just one interception.

Ford scored the first touchdown of the game at the 7:01 mark of the first quarter, by taking his first carry 70 yards into the end zone.

Burbank came right back as Porras hooked up with Chadz Vang on a 11-yard touchdown at the 5:23 mark of the first quarter.

Glendora (10-1) regained the lead with 1:54 left in the first quarter when quarterback Jacob Gonzalez hooked up with receiver Cade Marshman on a 36-yard touchdown.

Gonzalez and Marshman hooked up again at the 8:15 mark of the second quarter, this time from 35 yards, pushing the Tartans to a 21-7 lead.

Ford’s 53-yard run 3:00 left in the first half pushed Glendora out to a three-touchdown lead.

Things didn’t get any easier for Burbank in the second quarter when offensive lineman Kris Azizkhani went down with a leg injury and defensive lineman Karo Koshkaryan was ejected for throwing a water bottle in frustration following a Glendora touchdown.

Porras still came back and threw four second-half touchdown passes.

He hooked up with Duncan Smith on a 25-yard touchdown with 6:43 left in the third quarter to make it 35-14.

Porras and freshman Jack Sapyta hooked up on a 34-yard touchdown with 10:41 to play, making 42-21.

Porras and Eric Harutyunyan hooked up for two late touchdowns, both from 12 yards out.

Porras Lifts Burbank Football Past Burroughs

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Matthew Porras probably shouldn’t have even suited Friday night for Burbank High when the Bulldogs took on Burroughs in ‘The Big Game’ at Memorial Field.

Porras, who said he had been vomiting less than 24 hours earlier, threw a career-high and school record seven touchdown passes in a 54-20 over the Indians.

Burbank High Matthew Porras. Photo by © Ross A Benson

“He threw up three different times at walkthroughs yesterday,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said. “He’s such a warrior. He has meant so much to our program.”

Porras became Burbank’s single game, single season and career touchdown pass leader all in the same contest.

“This morning I threw up at about 5 in the morning. Then I had a bunch of fluids and came to school,” said Porras, who said he only had soup and saltines.

Burbank (7-3, 6-1) will now learn its fate Sunday in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
“We were working out the day of the CIF championship last year. We talked about going after a ring.

That’s been our goal since day one,” Colman said.”We’ve got hopefully four more weeks to chase that.”

Burroughs (2-8, 2-5) came in as a heavy underdog but gave Burbank everything it had.

Burroughs Aiden Forrester # 17 runs back the opening kickoff. ( Photo by © Ross A Benson)

“The journey this team went on was huge,” Burroughs coach Rand Holdren said. “If we were to start the season from today, it is a different story. These kids left it all on the field tonight.”

Burroughs stunned the Bulldogs when junior Aiden Forrester returned the game’s opening kickoff back 90 yards for a touchdown.

Burbank came right back and scored after just four plays from scrimmage.

Porras hooked up with junior Isaac Glover on a 10-yard touchdown pass. Glover also scored Burbank’s lone rushing touchdown, which came at the 10:24 mark of the fourth quarter.

Porras ended up completing 20 of 30 passes for 305 yards with just one interception.
Porras and Erik Harutyunyan hooked up on a 13-yard touchdown with 3:25 left in the first quarter to make it 14-7.

Burbank High’s Erik Harutyuyan #8 turns the corner . ( Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Harutyunyan finished with eight catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

Porras and junior Ben Burnham hooked up on a 16-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left in the first quarter. It was the first of two touchdowns he would score.

Burbank, which also received a pair of touchdowns from tight end Duncan Smith, led 27-13 at halftime.

Burroughs quarterback Nathan Piper hooked up with Nick Garcia on a 9-yard touchdown with 3:22 left in the first half. The took would hook up later on a 31-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Porras broke the single-game touchdown pass record when he hooked up with Burnham with 1:58 left to play.

Burroughs’ Andrew English had seven receptions for 69 yards.

Piper completed 15 of 30 passes for 171 yards in the final game of his career.

Burbank Football Runs Past Glendale, 49-6

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It certainly wasn’t the best game Burbank High has played all season, but the Bulldogs did what they needed to do Thursday night in a 49-6 Pacific League win over Glendale High.

Burbank (6-3, 5-1) was able to do a lot of experimenting and also came out of the game without any injuries.

The Bulldogs face Burroughs next week in “The Big Game.”

“We had a quick turnaround. We had a really brief week of practice,” coach Adam Colman said. “A lot of kids got some chance to get some live reps. It has to be all hands on deck going forward. The move live reps the better you get.”

Matthew Porras threw five touchdown passes in Burbank’s 49-6 win over Glendale High.

One player who nearly scored for the Bulldogs was senior running back Manuel Chu. Chu, who stands 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 120 pounds, had five carries for 6 yards.

His contribution was one that everyone on the Burbank sideline enjoyed.

“It was really cool to see Manny get a couple of carries there. He works his tail off every day and does everything he can,” Colman said. “It is nice to see the kids rally around him. That is something he is going to remember forever.”

Matthew Porras, who completed at least one pass to six different receivers, finished 13 of 23 for 297 yards with five touchdowns.

Three of his touchdowns went to Erik Harutyunyan on passes for 35, 30 and 39 yards.

His other two touchdown passes went to Duncan Smith on distances of 88 and 12 yards.

Burbank took a 35-0 lead with 34 seconds left in the first half when Chadz Vang intercepted a pass and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown.

Christopher Stanis added a fourth-quarter touchdown run for the Bulldogs.

Glendale (1-8, 0-6) scored its lone touchdown on the final play of the game, a two-yard run from Kevin Alvarez.

Burbank Football Survives Thriller Over Muir

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It took more than 11 hours to complete the Burbank versus Muir High football game.

But it took just one decision with 11 seconds left to seal the fate of the final result.

In the end visiting Burbank held on for a 15-14 Pacific League victory Saturday morning.

The game was halted at halftime on Friday night due to lightning. The second half began at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Electing not to kick a field goal with no timeouts left, 11 seconds on the clock and the ball at the 11-yard-line, Muir quarterback Brian Love was sacked by Burbank’s Duncan Smith and the clock ran out on the Mustangs.

“The coverage was great on that last play, so it allowed me to get a sack,” said Smith, who has committed to play at UC Davis next year.

Burbank coach Adam Colman thanked his defense for the fine effort.

“The defense is our calling guard. They kept us in the game when the offense was sputtering,” Colman said.

Burbank (5-3, 3-1 in league) scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown with 3:11 left as Matthew Porras found Smith on a 17-yard pass at the back of the end zone. Burbank failed on the two-point conversion that would have given it a three-point advantage.

The Bulldogs began the drive at the 11-yard line and had to actually move the ball 98 yards down the field after a penalty pushed them back to the 2.

Colman said it wasn’t easy going to sleep and then coming back to play so early in the morning.

“We talked last night about facing adversity. We’ve faced it all year,” he said. “We learned that facing adversity isn’t a bad thing. It helps make you better.”

Burbank opened the scoring with 7:51 left in the first quarter as Porras found Chadz Vang on a 10-yard touchdown. Burbank failed on the two-point conversion. Porras finished the game 16 of 30 for 245 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Andy Cardenas added a 31-yard field goal with 2:53 left in the first quarter to make it 9-0.

Muir (6-2, 2-2) came back. Love scored on a three-yard run with 11:36 left in the first half.

He later hooked up with Caleb Snowden on a fine 20-yard strike to put the Mustangs ahead with 3:03 left in the first half.

Turnovers on both sides gave each team golden opportunities to push ahead. But the defensive efforts were superb for both teams.

Erik Harutyunyan had an interception and stripped a Muir player of the ball. Offensively he had seven receptions for 101 yards.

Harutyunyan Steals Show in Big Burbank Football Win

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Erik Harutyunyan has shown throughout his career at Burbank High that he is an outstanding student-athlete.

Friday night he turned in arguably one of the best performances by a football player in school history as Burbank defeated host Pasadena 52-14.

Harutyunyan, who has already agreed to be a preferred walk-on at Stanford University next fall, had three touchdowns receptions and three one-handed interceptions in the victory. He will only get credit for two of the interceptions as the most spectacular one was called back on a penalty.

Erik Harutyunyan had a big night against Pasadena. Photo courtesy Doug Brown

“That’s one of the best individual performances I have seen,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said.

Harutyunyan, a three-year starter on both sides of the ball, talked about the interceptions.

“I never really thought about it. I did a few times at practice,” he said. “It has come to my right side and my right hand is my dominant hand, so I just gave it a shot.”

Burbank (3-3, 2-1 in the league), also had a stellar performance from quarterback Matthew Porras. Porras completed 20 of 30 passes for 355 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.

Matthew Porras goes back to throw a pass. Photo courtesy Doug Brown.

Harutyunyan had eight receptions for 167 yards for three touchdowns.

Porras and Harutyunyan also hooked up on what would have been a fourth touchdown, only to see a penalty flag erase that. Harutyunyan also scored on three two-point conversions.

Burbank jumped out to a 20-0 lead, thanks to a pair of touchdowns from Porras to Harutyunyan as well as one to tight end Duncan Smith.Smith also had arguably his best game of the season as he had eight receptions for 94 yards.

Duncan Smith tries to hurdle over a Pasadena defender. Photo courtesy Doug Brown.

Seemingly in command, Burbank gave up a pair of touchdowns late in the first half, an 83-yard touchdown run by Pasadena freshman Mekhi Fox and the other a 65-pass from quarterback Andreas Selling to Jeremiah Hutchins.

“We had some recurring issues. We kind of take our foot off the gas when we get up early,” Colman said. “That was a character win for us in the second half.”

Burbank gave itself a cushion with 1:32 left in the third quarter when Issac Glover scored on a 13-yard run. It was the first of three touchdowns the junior tailback would have.

Issac Glover scores one of three touchdowns. Photo courtesy Doug Brown.

Glover finished with 17 carries for 130 yards. Pasadena drops to 3-3, 1-2 with the loss.

Burbank will host undefeated Crescenta Valley next Friday at Memorial Field.

Burbank Football Falls Short Against Arcadia

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(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Sometimes just one play can change the momentum of a game.

That is what happened Friday night when Burbank High hosted Arcadia at Memorial Field.

A second-quarter interception by Burbank’s Erik Harutyunayn was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty.

That helped give Arcadia life again and the Apaches went on to dominate the second and third quarters in a 45-28 Pacific League win.

“It was 14-3 at that point. We get a pick at the 30 and I think we have a really good chance to score there,” said Burbank coach Adam Colman. “Against a team as talented as they are, if you make mistakes they’re going to capitalize on it. Every time we made a mistake, they capitalized.”

The defending league champion Bulldogs (2-3, 1-1 in league) got out to a quick start.

Junior running back Issac Glover, who was playing in his first game of the season after sustaining an injury in a preseason scrimmage, scored on a 4-yard run with 7:57 left in the first quarter.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Following an Arcadia field goal, Burbank made it 14-3 when Matthew Porras hooked up with Chadz Vang on a 41-yard touchdown on the final play of the first quarter.

But Arcadia was able to rally. Following the nullified interception, the Apaches marched down the field and were able to score on a 12-yard run by quarterback Dylan Guerra.

Arcadia (3-2, 2-0) then surprised Burbank with an onsides kick, which it recovered at the 32-yard line. Three plays later the Apaches found the end zone once again. This time it was an 18-yard pass from Guerra to Ahmad Lipscomb that gave the Apaches a 17-14 lead.

Arcadia went on to score 35 unanswered points to take a 38-14 lead before Burbank was able to get things going once again.

Porras hooked up with Duncan Smith on an 80-yard pass with 8:52 to play to make it 38-20.

After yet another Arcadia touchdown, Glover scored on a 4-yard run with 2:30 left.

“We played well, but not well enough to win,” Colman said.

Burbank will be on the road next week to face Pasadena High.

Burbank Football Wins Glenoaks Bragging Rights Over Hoover

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The battle over bragging rights along Glenoaks Boulevard actually took place on Glenoaks for a change Friday night when Hoover High visited Burbank, which played an on-campus game for the second consecutive year.

The Bulldogs were once again successful on their home turf, as they defeated the visiting Tornadoes 44-26 in a contest that had many delays due to a number of penalties on both sides.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

“It actually feels like a home game. There’s actually some buzz. It isn’t an empty stadium,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said. “We came out strong in the first quarter, which is what we needed. It’s good to get that momentum going into league.”

The contest got heated at times and the intensity was reminiscent of a rivalry game.

“It is what it is. Sometimes things get heated. They’re building something there at Hoover and they’re trying to get on the winning track and get that big statement win,” Colman said. “I thought they (Burbank players) did a good job of keeping their composure for the most part. We’ve got a big game next week and we don’t want guys missing.”

Burbank (2-2), which plays Arcadia in a crucial league contest next week, jumped out to a 30-0 lead and cruised the rest of the way. The Bulldogs led 44-12 at halftime.

Sophomore Max Mendieta opened the scoring on the third play from scrimmage by running in from a yard out.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Mendieta finished with nine carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns.

Burbank starting quarterback Matthew Porras completed six of nine passes for 100 yards and three touchdowns. He did not play in the second half.

Receiver Erik Harutyunyan had three receptions for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Duncan Smith had two receptions for 38 yards and scored on a 27-yard pass from Porras.

Hoover quarterback Mathis Richards was 18 of 27 for 151 yards. The Tornadoes are 1-3.

Burbank Football Stopped by Moorpark

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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.”

Matthew Porras helped Burbank score three touchdowns in the second half against Moorpark.

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.

Burbank Football Looking for a Ring

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The last two seasons have been arguably the best in school history for the Burbank High football team.
The Bulldogs still have a nice core intact from last season’s Pacific League championship team that went on to the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 7 playoffs. A few players remain from the 2016 team that played for the Division 8 CIF title game.
So the level of expectation is quite high once again for Burbank, under second-year head coach Adam Colman.
The Bulldogs moved up two divisions and will now play in Division 5.
“Whatever division we got put in goes without saying we want to win a ring. We’ve gotten really close the last two years. When you get that close you can taste it,” Colman said. “(Winning) League is obviously a goal, but that’s a stepping stone to bigger things. We all want to win a ring. Whatever division we are in we can’t control that. All we can control is what we do on the field.”

Matthew Porras will lead the Burbank offense once again in 2018. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Quarterback Matthew Porras was the co-Pacific League Player of the Year a season ago. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound quarterback who threw 30 touchdowns and over 2,600 yards a year ago, lost a few passing targets, but will still have a great one in senior Erik Harutyunyan (6-2, 190). Harutyunyan has been a star on both offense and defense the past two seasons. An outstanding student and a three-sport athlete, Harutyunyan should be on the radar of every Ivy League school.

Erik Harutyunyan is a three-year starter on both sides of the ball. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The other big target Porras will have is senior tight end Duncan Smith (6-4, 240) who has offers from many major colleges, many of which are in the Mountain West Conference. Junior Ben Burnham (6-1, 175) is another receiver who could shine.
Colman said sophomore Brandon Pena (5-10, 165) could be a star if he continues to work hard.
Running the ball, Burbank returns senior Chadz Vang (5-5, 140) who is extremely quick and changes direction very easily. Junior Issac Glover (5-9, 195) will give Burbank a back who can pick up yards in short yardage situations.
Freshman star running back Jack Sapyta (5-10, 140), who is also an accomplished sprinter in track and field, is expected to begin the season on the junior varsity team along with sophomore quarterback Aram Araradian (5-11, 170). Araradian saw time on varsity last season and is ready to go if needed.

Duncan Smith gives Burbank a huge target at tight end. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burbank’s offensive line will be led seniors Kris Azizkhani (6-2, 300) and Esper Alsayegh (6-0, 260). Seniors Matthew Sanchez (5-11, 240), Oscar De La Cruz (5-10, 220) and junior Armando De La Cruz (5-9, 225) figure to fill out the rest of the group that will look to push the Bulldogs down the field.
Burbank’s defense line will be strong again, despite the loss of star Anthony Lira to graduation.
Karo Koshkaryan (6-3, 235) is a returning all league pick. Joining him will be Smith and Azizkhani. Also in the mix are juniors Seth Jones (6-2, 240) and Devin Housholder (6-1, 190).
Burbank is a little younger, but still very talented in the linebacker position.
Sophomore Max Mendieta (5-8, 185) is an excellent student and Colman said he has a “Nose for the ball.”
Sophomore Austin Blacano (6-2, 210), junior Tyler Murphy (5-9, 190) and senior Alejandro Martinez (6-1, 190) also figure to help out as linebackers.

Kris Azizkhani figures to play a key role on both sides of the ball for the Bulldogs. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Harutyunyan clearly leads the secondary and will be looking forward to matching up against Moorpark star and USC commit Drake London, when the teams meet in a nonleague contest in Burbank’s second game.
Junior Vincent Vang (5-6, 150), junior Ian Miller (5-10, 170), Burnham, Pena and sophomores Owen Cusumano (5-10, 155) and Jarren Flowers (6-0, 165) are all fighting for playing time in the secondary.