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Class of 2018 Takes a Step Forward

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The Class of 2018 has turned its tassels at Burbank and Burroughs highs.

Once again both schools graduated a number of fine student athletes, some of which will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

The following is a sampling of what to expect in the immediate future for the now graduated Bulldogs and Indians.

Burbank

Leading the Bulldogs class is multi-sport star and class salutatorian Melissa Daniel, who will attend Stanford University and play beach volleyball.

Melissa Daniel goes for the kill. She will attend Stanford. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Class valedictorian Jonathan Ragheb will attend Harvard University and may attempt to walk on the men’s volleyball team.

Lauren Ryan will attend Hawaii Pacific University, where she will compete in cheer. Nikki Howell will also compete in cheer, but stay a little closer to home by attending Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks. Anna Leonetti will be attending Riverside City College, where she plans to continue in cheer and stunt.

Softball player Bene Snyder will continue her career at Trinity University in Texas.

Fellow softball player Anysia Gonzalez will continue her career at La Sierra University in Riverside.

Bulldog baseball player Abiezer Delgado will continue his career at Hope International University in Fullerton.

Burbank will be represented once again by the presence of a number of football players going to the community college route.

Moorpark College is getting Drew Pendleton, Kaydon Spens and Andrew Rovira. Anthony Lira will attend Los Angeles Valley College. Christian Fajardo is going to Pasadena City College and Darnell Williams will continue his career at College of the Canyons.

Drew Pendleton will play football at Moorpark College. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Jessie Czarneki will continue her track and cross country career at the University of Antelope Valley.

Noemi Apreza and Phoebe Forsyth will both continue their distance running careers at Glendale Community College.

Brandon Wilson will continue his water polo career at L.A. Valley College. Lexi Lyneis will continue her water polo career at L.A. Valley College.

Rory Rickey will hope to continue his volleyball career as a walk on at UC San Diego.

Burroughs

The Indians have several athletes who will play major college athletics, led by senior volleyball player Marin Grote.

The 6-foot-5 outside hitter will continue her career at the University of Washington.

Marin Grote will wear purple in college as a member of the Washington Huskies.

Distance running star Jagdeep Chahal, who recently won the CIF Southern Section Division 1 title in the 1,600 meters, will continue his cross country and track career at UC Santa Barbara.

Emily Virtue, who was a cross country national finalist as a sophomore, will continue her career on the opposite coast at Columbia University.

Pole vaulter Elizabeth Switzer is undecided, as she also has the option of going back to gymnastics, which has her first sport.

Also from the girls’ volleyball team, Lauren Zedlar will attend Washington College in Maryland. Sabrina Sullivan will continue her volleyball career at the University of La Verne. Lizzy Jessen will play volleyball at Wellesley College and Ricki Patenaude at College of the Canyons.  Mia Staub, the class salutatorian, will play volleyball at Wheaton College in Chicago.

Jagdeep Chahal will run for UC Santa Barbara.

From the football team, Jacob Real will continue at Glendale Community College.

Basketball player Amir Montgomery is undecided but may be leaning toward Glendale Community College, per coach Allan Ellis.

Volleyball player Diego Rosal will walk on the men’s volleyball team at Pepperdine, where he will join former Indian Max Chamberlain and coach David Hunt, who grew up in the Glendale-Burbank area.

Fellow volleyball player and Pacific League MVP Cole Kaitz will attend Cal State Northridge, but has not decided if he will attempt to walk on or not.

Star distance runner Alex Hirsch will attend Harvey Mudd and run for Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Softball pitcher Presley Miraglia plans to continue her career at Cal State Long Beach.

Fellow softball player Jessica Amaya is considering continuing her career Mission College in Sylmar.

 

Burbank Football Outlasts Tustin, 55-42

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When Burbank High found out it earlier in the week that it would host Tustin High in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 7 playoffs, Bulldogs coach Adam Colman was disappointed to say the least.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

“In Week 5 or 6 we started looking at other teams in our division and we saw Tustin with all these yards and we were like ‘What do they do’ and I was like ‘Oh no, anybody but them,’” Colman said.

Colman’s nightmare turned out to not as scary as once thought as Burbank outlasted the visiting Tillers 55-42 at Memorial Field Friday night.

Tustin (8-3) operates from a wing-T offensive behind a large offensive line and Colman said he couldn’t recall Burbank having beaten a wing-T team in the past decade or so that he has been part of the program.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

“It’s tough. You can’t prepare for it. You can’t get 11 scout team guys that weigh 300 pounds and just beat yourself up in practice,” Colman said.

But he praised his team for overcome obstacles.

“They battled and came ready to play. It’s a testament to the program we have built in all the years behind. We’ve learned from (losses to) Dominguez, Norwalk.”

Burbank (9-2) will now face top-seeded South Hills of West Covina next week at Covina District Field. This is the same venue Burbank pulled off an upset of Northview High last season in the quarterfinals.

Early on it appeared Friday’s contest would be a battle between Burbank running back Chadz Vang and Tustin’s KC Carr III. Carr finished with 28 carries for 339 yards and four touchdowns.

Vang had 17 carries for 170 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Perhaps the play that turned the tables in Burbank’s favor came late in the third quarter when Louie Torres intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. That gave Burbank a 42-31 lead and most importantly a lead by more than one possession.

“I came down and right when I turned around the ball was right there and I just ran,” Torres said.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Burbank got a great effort from junior quarterback Matthew Porras. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 282 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Drew Pendleton had six catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Junior Eric Harutyunyan had six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Tight end Duncan Smith, also a junior, had five receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown.

Vang had five receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown.

To see a larger picture click on the picture:

Burbank Football Coach Colman Honored By Chargers

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By Rick Assad

For the Burbank High football team, the season actually begins during the dog days of summer in July and August and concludes sometime during the chill of November.

The Bulldogs fashioned an 8-2 overall mark and own a 7-0 record in the Pacific League, capturing the title undisputedly.

One of the benefits of a successful campaign is playing host to Tustin at Memorial Field in a CIF Southern Section Division VII first-round playoff game.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Another came on Thursday at the quad when the Los Angeles Chargers presented Adam Colman with a plaque and a check for one thousand dollars as its high school coach of the week.

Colman, the first-year head man was surrounded by his team, teachers, administrators, students, the marching band, cheerleaders, a pair of Chargers cheerleaders and D’Mario Carter, an intern with the Chargers Community Relations Youth Football Department.

The Chargers selected Colman after Burbank’s 37-20 upset victory over then-undefeated Crescenta Valley on Oct. 20 at Glendale High’s Moyse Field.

“Definitely unexpected. When Pat [McMenamin] told me I was a little shocked,” said Colman, who played quarterback for the Bulldogs and graduated from UCLA, but didn’t play football. “It’s a cool honor. But it’s not just me. It’s a staff thing. A team thing. This is all because of [Richard] Broussard and it’s all because of what he’s built here. Any time a coach gets an honor, it’s a whole staff award and this is a staff that [Broussard] built.”

Colman’s staff includes Manuel Lemus, defensive coordinator, Rob Ashby, defensive line coach, Pete Roses, linebackers coach, Kevin Hefner, wide receivers coach, Marvin Reyes, defensive backs coach, Douglas Pierce, running backs coach, Jim Summy, offensive analyst, Joe Manasewitsch, offensive line coach and Fred, assistant coach.

Adam Colman gets a handshake from Burbank High Principal Mike Bertram. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Colman added: “We say family and that word gets thrown around a lot in sports,” he said. “There’s a family feel around here.”

Also on hand was Patrick McMenamin, co-athletic director along with Bruce Breeden, who most-recently coached the girl’s basketball team.

“This is a special day for Coach Colman and our football program,” McMenamin said. “I think it speaks to the buy-in that he’s created with our kids and our program and it’s nice to be recognized by an organization as good as the L.A. Chargers.”

McMenamin went on: “In that CV game we started off with a 27-0 lead,” he said. “Our kids were well prepared and that doesn’t happen without a strong coaching staff. We studied up on CV. They’re a well-coached and strong team.”

Senior wide receiver/linebacker Drew Pendleton has been a key contributor to Burbank’s success and is pleased that Colman received the recognition.

“It means a lot because we tried to do it last year [win the division title] and we couldn’t do it,” Pendleton said. “To get it this year, it means a lot. I really didn’t think the Chargers would show up. There’s a big desire because we’re not satisfied with winning the league. We want to go on and win the championship.”

Junior running back Chadz Vang has also had a crucial role this season and thinks the team will do well in the postseason.

“Feels like we’re back in the CIF again,” Vang noted. “Feels like last year’s championship against Yorba Linda, but it’s the first game of the playoffs,”

Vang said that Colman has guided the team in the right direction since the initial practice began.

“Each day, since the beginning of the summer, it’s very hot. No one’s used to it,” he said. “We get through. Like a team. Like a family. Yes, it’s worth it.”

After Thursday’s award ceremony, one would think that Colman would wholeheartedly agree.

Burroughs, Burbank Football Ready to Clash on Friday

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By Rick Assad

Situated slightly less than two miles apart, Burroughs High and Burbank are long and fierce rivals, regardless of the sport or event.

On Friday night at Memorial Field, these two will face off on the football field for the 69th meeting in the annual Big Game, which commenced in 1949.

This time, there is a slightly unique twist because it is believed to be the first time that both schools are being coached by alumni of their respective schools.

Adam Colman, the first-year coach at Burbank, is a former Bulldog quarterback, while Mike Reily, the second-year Burroughs coach, was once an offensvive lineman for the Indians.

Drew Pendleton is a two-way threat for the Bulldogs. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

“I think that will be cool, but it’s about the kids,” Colman said of the upcoming match and the fact he and Reily will be on each team’s sideline. “Being a part of the Big Game, growing up watching it, playing in it, it’s an experience. It’s a fun experience for everyone, no matter what role you’re in.”

Colman knows Burroughs, with a 4-4 overall record and a 3-3 mark in the Pacific League, will be ready.

“They’ve got a really good team,” he said. “They’ve got an amazing offense. They’ve put up huge numbers all year. I think our defense will be up for the challenge.”

Reily’s squad has suffered some key injuries, but he won’t use this as an excuse.

“You’ll see who gets cleared and then game plan with those individuals and have a plan B,C and D if certain individuals are not able to go,” Reily said.

Reily knows the Bulldogs own a share of the league banner after holding off Muir 38-31 last Friday.

“Burbank is the team in the league,” Reily said. “They’re the big daddies. It is never ideal to go into that type of a game with the injuries that we have sustained, but that’s part of the deal.”

Burroughs quarterback Nathan Piper will be ready to face Burbank on Friday. (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

Reily is quietly confident in his staff and team.

“Our football coaching staff has a lot of experience, a lot of football IQ,” he said. “I have no doubt that we’ll be able to come up with the schemes that will help make us successful. It’s just a matter of being able to get those kids healthy enough to execute that scheme.”

Burroughs leads the all-time series 42-26 over Burbank, but the Bulldogs, who are 7-2 and 6-0 in league, have claimed four of the last five games.

Burbank is led offensively by quarterback Matthew Porras. The junior has thrown for 1,770 yards with 20 touchdowns has five interceptions and rushed for 307 yards with two scores.

Senior tailback Darnell Williams has the most yards on the ground with 577 and has tallied eight touchdowns.

Darnell Williams is Burbank’s top rusher. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Junior Chadz Vang has accumulated 325 rushing yards with three touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Drew Pendleton has snared 39 passes for 754 yards and eight scores.

Junior Erick Harutyunyan has 19 receptions for 263 yards and four scores and junior tight end Duncan Smith has 461 yards on 37 catches for six touchdowns.

Burbank’s defense is spearheaded by Pendleton, a linebacker with 63 tackles, including 45 solo.

Senior defensive back Christian Fajardo has 43 tackles including 31 solo, senior linebacker Blake Quinteros has 41 tackles, 23 solo with three sacks, Smith, a defensive end, has 32 tackles with 21 solo and five sacks and senior defensive lineman Anthony Lira has 33 tackles with four sacks.

Senior Andrew Rovira has converted 28 extra points and nailed three of six field goals. He kicked a 48-yard field goal last week.

Junior Nathan Piper is a capable quarterback for the Indians, and if given time, will find his receivers.

Ben Peters is dynamic and will be tough to handle. (Photo by © Ross A Benson)

When the Indians run the ball it will likely be in the hands of senior Ben Peters, a prolific running back who has topped 300 yards in several games.

Peters also toils at linebacker and defensive back.

Joining Peters in the backfield is senior Hakeem Hickman, who has been highly productive and also plays linebacker.

Senior wide receiver/defensive back Cerain Baker will not play after being ejected during the Indians’ 49-14 win over Hoover last week.

Seniors Gavin Aguilar, Charlie Rodriguez, Devin Harrison and David Lennstrom are steady targets for Piper and all play defensive back except for Rodriguez, who plays linebacker.

If it’s a close game, it could be decided by the foot of senior place kicker Jonathan Rivas.

Burbank Football Holds Off Muir, 38-31, For Share Of Pacific League Title

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By Rick Assad

There were moments of high drama and extreme tension, but in the end pure relief and exultation by the Burbank High football team.

It took everything the Bulldogs had and then some in order to hold off Muir 38-31 in a Pacific League match on Friday night at Memorial Field and with the victory a share of the league title.

Chadz Vang scored on an 18-yard touchdown in the first half. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank, which is a game in front of Crescenta Valley and Arcadia (5-1 in league) will now face its longtime rival Burroughs next Friday at 7 p.m. hoping to win the banner outright.

“Being a champion isn’t just being a front runner or being ahead,” first-year Burbank coach Adam Colman said. “It’s facing adversity. That’s been us all year. You’re not born to be a champion. You have to fight to be a champion and they did that tonight.”

Andrew Rovira nailed a 48-yard field goal just before the half. (Photo by Brandon Buckley)

Colman knows the Bulldogs will be challenged by the Indians.

“League championship on the line. Playoff berth on the line. It’s not going to be easy,” he said. “They want to prove something and do something special. We’re not done yet.”

The Bulldogs (7-2 and 6-0 in league) led 21-7 after the first quarter, were tied 24-24 at halftime and 31-31 heading into the fourth quarter.

The winning touchdown came with 11:10 left in the fourth quarter when junior quarterback Matthew Porras hit junior tight end Duncan Smith (51 yards on four receptions) with a three-yard toss that finalized a 71-yard, four-play drive.

“We knew they were going to come out strong,” said Porras, who completed 13 of 20 attempts for 223 yards. “They did and they just kept fighting. We kept fighting, too.”

Burbank’s defense had a key stand in the game’s final drive. Here lineman Duncan Smith makes a tackle. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The go-ahead tally began at the Bulldog 29-yard line and saw junior running back Chadz Vang contribute a 39-yard scamper and Porras a 25-yard pass to junior wide receiver Erik Harutyunyan (65 yards on three catches).

How will the Bulldogs remain focused for the final regular season game?

“We just practice hard like we always do,” Porras said. “Go through everything. There’s no reason to share.”

When it mattered the most, Burbank’s defense shined as the Mustangs drove from their 16-yard line to the Bulldog seven-yard line as time expired.

Burbank (443 total net yards) scored on its opening series when senior tailback Darnell Williams (40 yards on 13 carries) found the end zone on a two-yard run as 9:32 remained for a 7-0 lead.

Matthew Porras ran and threw effectively for the Bulldogs in a 38-31 win over the Mustangs. (Photo by Brandon Buckley)

The second time the Bulldogs possessed the ball, it became 14-0 when Vang (139 yards on 15 rushes) raced in from 18 yards and 4:47 left.

Burbank extended its advantage to 21-7 after an eight-yard spurt by Williams with 17.4 seconds left.

A 48-yard field goal by senior Andrew Rovira evened it at 24-24 as the clock hit triple zero.

Muir came within 14-7 when senior running back Jonathan Stephens (104 yards on 13 carries) exploded for a 76-yard sprint and 3:41 remaining before the half.

When junior quarterback Brian Love (15 of 29 for 271 yards) uncorked a 50-yard pass to junior running back Aryonis Harrison, the Mustangs (451 total yards) drew within 21-14 as 10:34 remained.

It was even at 21-21 on Love’s 20-yard strike to junior wide receiver Jalique Stephens (49 yards on three receptions) as 5:35 was left. Harutyunyan’s fumble after a 12-yard reception made the score possible.

In a back-and-forth battle, Burbank prevailed 38-31 over Muir. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Mustangs (5-4 and 3-3 in league) then surged ahead 24-21 on a 19-yard field goal from Cain Hernandez with 25.3 seconds on the clock.

Burbank raced ahead 31-24 with 7:21 left in the third period on a 24-yard pass from Porras to Smith that capped an eight-play, 59-yard march.

Harrison’s 43-yard punt return and 23 seconds remaining in the third period leveled it at 31-31.

Though Burbank senior wide receiver Drew Pendleton didn’t score, he had six receptions for 107 yards.

Burbank Football Blows Out Crescenta Valley, 37-20

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By Rick Assad

There is now only one undefeated football team in the Pacific League and that’s Burbank High.

The Bulldogs played their best overall game this season against Crescenta Valley after posting a 37-20 victory on Friday night at Moyse Field.

Burbank (6-2 and 5-0 in league) pulled ahead 7-0 after the first quarter and led 27-0 at halftime.

Burbank quarterback Matthew Porras uncorked two touchdown passes in 37-20 win over host Crescenta Valley. (Photo by Doug Brown)

Crescenta Valley (7-1 and 4-1 in league), which came into the contest having collected 12 straight league triumphs and is ranked No. 2 in the CIF Southern Section Division VI, drew within 27-14 with seven seconds left in the third quarter and 30-20 late in the fourth quarter.

“So proud of the kids. The adversity they’ve been through and we talked about it before the game,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said. “Last year’s team was the furthest we’ve gone in CIF history [losing in the championship game] and we were senior heavy. A lot of these kids were forgotten. And so it’s a kind of chip on your shoulder.”

Burbank’s defensive line was one difference as it kept junior quarterback Cole Doyle on the run all evening.

Senior tailback Darnell Williams had three scoring runs in the opening half versus the Falcons. (Photo by Doug Brown)

Right out of the gate, the Bulldogs took advantage of excellent field position after the Falcons were forced to punt from their one-yard line.

Burbank took over at the Crescenta Valley 21-yard line and after an 18-yard pass from junior quarterback Matthew Porras to junior tight end Duncan Smith, senior tailback Darnell Williams punched it in from three yards as 9:13 remained in the first quarter.

Burbank (375 total net yards) extended its lead to 13-0 on a one-yard burst from Williams as 11:43 was left in the second frame.

The key plays on the 76-yard, five-play march were a 31-yard strike from Porras to senior wide receiver Drew Pendleton that placed the ball at the Falcon 40-yard line and a 40-yard catch by Pendleton (144 yards on seven receptions) that put the ball at the one-yard line.

Linebacker Blake Quinteros puts on the heat as CV quarterback Cole Doyle tries to pass. (Photo by Doug Brown)

Burbank’s lead swelled to 20-0 when Porras orchestrated a 68-yard, 11-play excursion that was capped off when Williams (52 yards on 20 carries) found the end zone on a four-yard scamper with 5:42 on the clock.

“That’s a great team,” Colman said of the Falcons, who gained 297 yards. “There’s a reason they’re 7-0. They haven’t faced adversity like we have. We knew if we stuck around and be competitive, that we had that on our side. We’re used to adversity.”

The advantage became 27-0 when Porras (17 of 24 for 287 yards and one pick) drilled Smith (37 yards on three catches) with a four-yard bullet and 11 seconds left.

The tally was made possible on an interception from senior defensive back Louie Torres, who had two picks.

Defensive back Louie Torres intercepted Cole Doyle twice. (Photo by Doug Brown)

Colman also praised the defense and specifically the defensive line.

“They did a great job,” he said of senior Anthony Lira, junior Karo Koshkaryan and Smith. “They’re all over the place. In the backfield and creating havoc. When you’ve got guys and they’re big guys, it’s tough to see over them.”

The Falcons played much better in the second half, but the deficit was simply too much.

Doyle’s one-yard keeper with 6:32 left in the third quarter trimmed the lead to 27-7 and came after Porras was intercepted by sophomore outside linebacker Chase Center, who also recovered a Porras fumble.

It took one play for the Falcons to get within 27-14 when Doyle (102 yards on 14 rushes) raced 60 yards as seven seconds remained in the third period.

Burbank answered with a 28-yard field goal from senior Andrew Rovira, who capped the 54-yard, 13-play march.

Doyle (10 of 32 for 160 yards and two picks) then drove the Falcons from their eight-yard line and ended the drive with a 39-yard toss to senior tight end Austin Novak (49 yards on two receptions) that made it 30-20 after Doyle’s two-point conversion pass failed with 5:21 on the clock in the fourth period.

The Bulldogs added a touchdown that made it 37-20 when Porras found senior running back Blake Quinteros with a three-yard strike as 2:35 remained.

Burbank will play host to Muir next Friday at Memorial Field and commences at 7 p.m.

Burbank Football Shoves Aside Pasadena, 42-0

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By Rick Assad

It took the Burbank High football team one series in order to set the tone and score its first touchdown.

Five more touchdowns followed and a 42-0 rout of Pasadena was on in a Pacific League match Thursday night at Memorial Field.

Junior quarterback Matthew Porras and Drew Pendleton connected on three scoring passes.

Drew Pendleton grabbed three scoring passes in a 42-0 shellacking of Pasadena. (Photo By: Edward Tovmassian)

“He stepped up huge,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said of his senior wide receiver and linebacker, who had a game-best 160 yards on five receptions. “You see the raw talent. You can see the work he’s put in. He’s a workaholic and it shows in his play.”

Porras added a fourth touchdown toss and finished with 266 yards on 19 of 23 pass attempts.

Burbank (5-2 and 4-0 in league) jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when Porras located Pendleton with a 32-yard strike and 8:16 left in the opening quarter that capped a 10-play, 78-yard drive.

Burbank’s advantage became 14-0 on a 43-yard pass from Porras to Pendleton with 2:54 on the clock in the same period that ended a 62-yard, three-play march.

“We want to do that every game,” said Pendleton of the early lead that swelled to 21-0 at the intermission. “We had fun tonight. We got the early lead and we were in the driver’s seat and then we do whatever we want.”

Quarterback Matthew Porras threw four scoring passes. (Photo By: Edward Tovmassian)

That tally was made possible when senior defensive back Kaydon Spens intercepted senior quarterback Randy Santellan (nine of 25 for 106 yards with three interceptions).

Spens had another pick that resulted in a 23-yard touchdown with 6:57 left in the third quarter, but it was called back after a roughing the passer penalty.

Junior defensive back/wide receiver Erik Harutyunyan snared four passes for 23 yards and also contributed an interception.

Darnell Williams accounted for only 12 yards on four carries because of an ankle injury. (Photo By: Edward Tovmassian)

When Porras unloaded a 27-yard toss to junior tight end Duncan Smith (64 yards on six catches) and 10:55 left in the second quarter, Burbank’s lead became 21-0.

On Pasadena’s first possession of the second half, senior defensive lineman Anthony Lira scooped up a loose football and returned it 43 yards for a score and a 28-0 lead with 9:55 remaining.

The score was set up after senior defensive back Christian Fajardo’s jarring tackle.

Pasadena (1-6 and 1-3 in league) fell behind 35-0 with 7:06 remaining in the third period on a 74-yard pass from Porras to Pendleton, who did most of the work.

Pendleton had an interception and also contributed a pick that resulted in a 28-yard score with 3:56 left in the opening frame, but was nullified on a roughing the passer penalty.

Burbank ended its scoring with a 16-yard scamper from sophomore running back Isaac Glover (39 yards on 10 rushes) as 2:54 remained in the contest.

Burbank’s defense was hard-hitting in a 42-0 shutout of visiting Pasadena. (Photo By: Edward Tovmassian)

Junior running back Chadz Vang had 22 yards on five carries and caught three passes for 19 yards.

Senior Darnell Williams chipped in with 12 yards on four rushes after injuring his ankle.

Pasadena was limited to 68 total net yards in the opening half and finished with 169 yards while Burbank had 360 yards.

Senior Andrew Rovira added six extra points, but missed a 52-yard field goal that sailed wide left with 11:05 left in the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs have a showdown next Friday at Glendale’s Moyse Field with a 7 p.m. kickoff when they meet Crescenta Valley, which is also undefeated in league play.

Burbank Football Wins Big Over Hoover

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A week after opening the Pacific League season with a one-sided victory, the Burbank High football team had to get back to reality Thursday night.

Although the Bulldogs weren’t as sharp as a week ago, they easily defeated Hoover High 47-14 at Glendale High’s Moyse Field.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

“It was a little different environment than last week obviously. The energy after playing at home, it was hard to get up this week,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said.

Burbank (3-2 overall, 2-0 in the league) took a few plays to get settled in.

Eventually, quarterback Matthew Porras hooked up with Drew Pendleton on a 46-yard touchdown with 10:03 left in the first quarter.

Porras, who played in just the first half, finished 11 of 14 passing for 272 yards and five touchdowns with just one interception. He did this despite playing having a cold much of the week.

“We could have done better. I had an interception,” Porras said. “Our line did well and our defense did well.”

Colman praised his quarterback.

“He’s been sick all week. It starts in practice,” Colman said. “We’re running sprints and he’s in the front. He’s been taking a ton of Vitamin C just to get healthy.”

Porras hooked up with Erik Harutyunyan on a 15-yard touchdown at the 5:07 mark of the first quarter.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Darnell Williams had a two-yard touchdown run later in the quarter.

Porras hooked up with tight end Duncan Smith on a 45-yard touchdown at the 5:38 mark of the second quarter to make it 26-0.

Porras and Harutyunyan connected once again with 34 seconds left in the first half to make it 33-0.

Ironically, Burbank got the ball back after a series of incomplete passes from Hoover.

That gave Porras once chance to get to the end zone with 6 seconds left in the half.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

He took advantage as he found Drew Pendleton in the right corner of the end zone to make it 40-0 with no time remaining in the half.

After Hoover fought back to score a pair of touchdowns in the second half with a running clock, Chadz Vang scored on a 23-yard run with 3:20 left in the fourth quarter.

 

Burbank Football Opens League Play in Big Way

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To say that Burbank High enjoyed its first football game played on campus in nearly a decade was an understatement.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

The Bulldogs seized the moment Friday evening to open Pacific League play as they rolled to a 59-0 win over visiting Glendale High.

“It was a lot of fun. I have to thank the administration, our athletic directors and all the other behind-the-scenes people that did all the work to make it happen,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said. “We practiced better this week than we usually do. I think there was some energy out here, especially for senior night.”

Burbank (2-2) quickly took advantage of the Nitros (2-2) by opening to a 32-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Quarterback Matthew Porras hooked up with Chadz Vang on a 37-yard touchdown pass with 11:19 left in the first quarter.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Porras hooked up with Drew Pendleton on a 21-yard touchdown with 8: 35 left in the quarter.

Running back Darnell Williams scored on a 3-yard run with 5:40 left in the quarter to push the lead to 19-0.

Following an interception by Burbank’s Eric Harutyunyan, the Bulldog two-way player scored on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Porras with 4:04 left in the quarter to increase the lead to 25-0.

Porras and Harutyunyan hooked up again with 1:27 left in the first quarter, this time from 12 yards out,  to make it 32-0. Porras finished the game completed nine of 10 passes for 149 yards with four touchdown passes.

“It’s really special. Our blood, sweat and tears and are all right here,” Porras said of playing a game on campus. “It is a great feeling playing here.”

Blake Quinteros got Burbank on the board in the second quarter by scoring on a 3-yard run.

“It was a good way to start. There’s a lot of things we can fix,” Porras added.

One thing Burbank struggled with was making extra points, much of it due to snaps either being too long or mishandled.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

“With senior night, we weren’t working on reps before,” Porras said.

Pendleton scored his second touchdown on a 71-yard reserve run with 28 seconds left in the first half to make it 45-0.

Burbank’s Louie Torres, who had two interceptions on the night, returned a pass from Glendale quarterback Van Haslett for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to begin the second half.

Burbank sophomore Isaac Glover got into the scoring at the 4:40 mark of the third quarter with a 17-yard run.

 

 

Burbank Makes the Effort, But Loses To Downey, 35-7

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By Rick Assad

Burbank High and Downey came into Friday night’s nonleague football game with identical 1-1 records.

The Bulldogs bolted out of the gate and beat Monrovia 23-8, but then lost to Canyon 14-6.

The Vikings were defeated by powerhouse Santa Margarita 56-0, but bounced back with a 42-35 triumph over Hart.

Quarterback Matthew Porras scored the only touchdown for the Bulldogs. (Photo by Ross. A. Benson)

It was apparent early that Downey’s schedule was much more demanding as the No. 7th-ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Division IV, handled the Bulldogs 35-7 at Memorial Field.

Burbank avoided the shutout when quarterback Matthew Porras scampered in from 12 yards out as 3:55 remained in the fourth quarter.

Porras, a junior, completed 15 of 26 passes for 124 yards, but was intercepted twice by senior free safety Nicholas Whitney in the opening half.

Senior running back Darnell Williams gained 34 yards on 20 carries against Downey. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Another Bulldog highlight was senior cornerback Kaydon Spens picking off junior Kijon Foots in the second quarter.

Senior wide receiver Drew Pendleton grabbed five catches for 55 yards and junior tight end Duncan Smith nabbed six for 53 yards for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are coming off a season in which they went 10-4 overall before losing in the Division VIII title game.

Burbank has a bye next week, but will host Glendale on Sept. 21 to commence the Pacific League portion of its schedule which culminates Nov. 3 when it meets city rival Burroughs.

“This is the best team we’re going to play all season,” first-year Burbank coach Adam Colman said. “This is a young team and it’s still learning.”

Colman, who played quarterback for the Bulldogs a number of years ago, said that he was pleased with the effort.

“I’m proud of how they fought and that’s pride,” he said. “That touchdown at the end was important. We moved the ball well, but we didn’t convert in the red zone.”

Burbank’s defense was on the run most of the night versus the Vikings, who won 35-7 in a nonleague game. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Downey senior running back Baraq Ross finished with a game-best 202 yards on 19 carries and tallied four rushing touchdowns, including three in the second half when the Vikings outscored the Bulldogs 21-7.

After Burbank (1-2) punted on its initial possession, Downey took over at the Burbank 33-yard line.

Four plays later, Ross found the end zone on a one-yard carry as 8:55 was left for a 7-0 lead.

Senior wide receiver Drew Pendleton snared five passes for 55 yards. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The next time the Vikings (2-1) had the ball, Foots unloaded a 62-yard pass to wide receiver Whitney (89 yards on four receptions) and 5:21 left in the first period as it became 14-0.

Downey’s advantage was extended to 21-0 on its first series of the second half when Ross broke off a 70-yard sprint down the left sideline for a touchdown with 10:55 remaining in the third quarter.

It’s off to the races for Pendleton against highly-ranked Downey. (Photo by Ross A. Benson).

Burbank (212 total net yards) followed that with a march from its own 40-yard line to the Vikings five when Porras (54 yards on 11 carries) failed to complete a pass on fourth down.

Burbank senior running back Darnell Williams accounted for 34 yards on 20 carries.

The Vikings (524 total yards) proceeded to make it 28-0 when Foots, a quick and agile quarterback who passed for 213 yards on 15 of 22, drove the team from their five-yard line and used 13 plays with a five-yard run by Ross the capper as 1:53 was left in the third quarter.

Downey powered ahead 35-0 with 8:10 on the ticker in the fourth frame when Foots directed the Vikings 62 yards as Ross located the end zone with a 17-yard dash.