Tag Archives: Luke Rogers

Burroughs Football Waltzes Past Victor Valley, 46-12

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By Rick Assad

 

One season ago, Luke Rogers was the go-to running back for the Burroughs High football team.

Older and wiser, Rogers was expected to fill in where he left off in 2019, but this will have to wait after he sustained a fairly serious knee injury in last week’s lopsided win over Hueneme.

Jon English had 147 yards and two touchdowns for Burroughs. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Luckily, Burroughs has enough talent at running back to lessen the loss of Rogers as senior Adrian Leon and sophomore Jon English both contributed mightily and helped the Indians knock off Victor Valley 46-12 in a nonleague game on Friday night at Memorial Field.

“I liked that different guys are stepping up,” Burroughs second-year coach Rand Holdren said. “We had Jon English step up. We lost Luke Rogers for the season, we got a new running back [Leon] and he steps in.”

Holdren went on: “Defensively we’re swarming and we’re creating turnovers,” he said. “Efficiency is what we strive for. That is the goal. I believe Bill Walsh in his book said the score will take care of itself. We’ve got to be efficient. I want these guys to be the best team they can be. And they’re starting to realize they can be a good team.”

The Indians’ defense is like a swarm of bees. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Rogers, a junior, was told by several doctors that the injury could take between eight and 14 weeks, but he still hopes to contribute.

“As far as the regular season goes, it might be a stretch,” Rogers said of returning over the next eight weeks. “I’m striving to play as many games as possible.”

This would mean the CIF Southern Section playoffs, and while the Pacific League won’t start until September 20 at Glendale, the Indians are undefeated after two games, so maybe there is a chance Rogers will play.

Though disappointed, Rogers feels fine. “I feel good,” he said. “It’s tough. Putting so much preparation and hope into this year. If it comes down to not playing this year, at least I have my senior year.”

Covering two nonleague games, Burroughs has allowed 30 points. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Leon (102 yards on 16 carries) ran for 75 yards on 12 rushes in the first half as the Indians bolted to a 33-6 cushion at the intermission and Leon’s five-yard spurt with 9:51 left in the initial quarter made it 7-0 as the drive began at the Jackrabbits’ 34-yard line and consumed five plays.

English (game-high 147 yards on 13 carries) had 55 yards in the first half and scored on a nine-yard run with 2:40 remaining in the initial frame as the Indians (2-0) surged ahead 14-0 as the hosts needed eight plays to trek 65 yards.

When English rattled off a dazzling 60-yard run on the first play of the third quarter, the Indians were in command 40-6.

“I’m very pumped about this game, but there’s much more to come,” said English, who added 60 yards on two receptions. “I just want to make the most of it so I came out and did what I did. Our whole team executed and that’s why I got the touchdowns.”

Victor Valley quarterback Isaiah Padilla scored two rushing touchdowns, but the indians made it a long night. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

English then added: “One game at a time. One win at a time,” he said. “I’m just going to do what the coach tells me.”

Senior quarterback Nicholas Garcia had another stellar outing after tossing three touchdown passes and adding a rushing score.

Garcia, who has eight scoring passes, finished by connecting on 10 of 23 attempts for 201 yards and wasn’t intercepted.

Garcia’s 29-yard strike to junior wide receiver John Alajijian (33 yards on two receptions) and 10:49 left in the second quarter made it 20-0 and finalized a four-play, 37-yard drive and was made possible after a pick from sophomore defensive back Christopher Romano.

A four-yard laser from Garcia to Alajijian with 30.4 seconds left in the second quarter, capped a 51-yard, eight-play march that catapulted the Indians ahead 33-6.

A one-yard sneak from Garcia and 6:16 remaining in the opening half gave the Indians (466 total net yards) a 27-0 edge as he orchestrated a 69-yard, five-play march.

When Garcia spotted senior wide receiver Ellington Simmons for his only reception, a 22-yard pass and 5:54 left in the fourth period, Burroughs pushed ahead 46-6, ending a 90-yard, 11-play drive.

Victor Valley (1-1) was stubborn and came within 27-6 with 4:06 remaining in the first half as senior signal-caller Isaiah Padilla (31 yards on eight carries and eight of 22 for 101 yards and one pick) scored on a three-yard burst as the Jackrabbits (249 total yards) began the five-play drive at their 44-yard line.

Padilla’s one-yard sneak on the game’s final play, capped a 76-yard, seven-play march and trimmed the lead to 34 points.

The next time Burroughs plays will be Thursday at 7 p.m. on the road against Kennedy [La Palma] in Orange County.

Burroughs Begins Season With 59-18 Win Over Visiting Hueneme

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By Rick Assad

 

As season openers go, this wasn’t perfect, but it was more than satisfactory as the Burroughs High football team turned away Hueneme 59-18 in a nonleague match at Memorial Field on Thursday.

Much of the night belonged to quarterback Nicholas Garcia, who passed for five touchdowns and ran for another.

The Indians essentially did what they wanted in the opening half as they forged ahead 46-12 at the intermission, while the second half was played with a running clock.

The Indians’ running game was potent against the Vikings. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

A season ago, the Indians went 2-8 with their only win on the field coming against Glendale and the other victory was a forfeit by Hoover, which didn’t field a team over the latter portion of the season after some of its players were involved in an on-campus fight.

The Tornadoes won’t have a football team for two seasons.

So this was a good way to commence the season even if it was against a short-handed Vikings bunch that dressed about 20 players, with many playing offense and defense, which is truly tough.

“It being the first game, there was a lot of first-game issues at all phases and that’s the stuff that we need to clean up,” second-year Burroughs coach Rand Holdren said. “We are still growing  We are still learning all phases, and I really like this team. We have a lot of weapons. We need to focus on using them properly and not getting ahead of ourselves. As games go on, we’re going to use that and being efficient.”

What is Holdren’s overall goal for the team? “We want to be the best we can be,” he noted. “That means to be the best football players we can be. I’m more concerned with us reaching our full potential.”

Garcia sparkled in the opening half when he connected on 12 of 22 attempts for 182 yards with four scoring passes.

Burroughs accounted for five passing touchdowns in a blasting of Hueneme. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

In short order, the Indians (551 total net yards) moved ahead 6-0 on their initial possession as Garcia drove the squad 74 yards on eight plays, capping the excursion with a 10-yard strike to senior wide receiver Carson Cardenaz (45 yards on four receptions) as 9:45 remained in the initial quarter.

“We just executed. We have a lot of things to work on, on offense, especially,” said Garcia, a senior who passed for 205 yards while hitting 14 of 24. “It was a good team win. Our guys hustled and played with a lot of heart.”

Garcia went on: “We’re taking it one practice at a time. If we do good in the practice, that’s a goal we accomplished,” he said. “If it’s a sloppy practice, if we’re not executing, guys messing around, whatever, it’s not a great practice. So we come out the next day and take it day by day.”

Burroughs recovered a pooch kick at the Viking 45 and two plays later, bolted ahead 13-0 when Garcia found Cardenaz with a 22-yard strike as 8:52 was left.

After forcing a Vikings punt, Garcia guided the Indians 12 plays while covering 75 yards as junior running back Luke Rogers (32 yards on eight carries) scored from four yards with 3:53 remaining for a 19-0 edge.

For the most part, the Burroughs’ defense kept Hueneme quarterback Ethan Neos in check. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

With 1:56 left in the first quarter, Garcia (65 yards on six rushes) was off to the races as he bolted 53 yards down the left sideline to make it 26-6.

Garcia’s 16-yard bullet to two-way threat, senior wide receiver/defensive back Aiden Forrester capped an eight-play, 68-yard march as the Indians’ lead became 33-12.

“I love playing defense. That’s super fun for me. I actually started off as a sophomore catching kick returns for varsity. Now that I’m on offense, defense and kick return, I’m going to try and juggle it all without being super gassed during the game because I don’t want to let my teammates down and I don’t want to mess up because I’m tired. I want to continue doing everything.”

Forrester, who had one interception against Hueneme, said the team should be improved.

“I think we’re definitely going to be better,” he said. “I wouldn’t say go all the way. I think if we play together as a team, like we did tonight, we’re going to be better.”

It’s a fight for the football. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

What do the Indians need to do in order to improve?

“They’re little mistakes and that we’re there right now, but we need to put in a little more effort and then practice on the details and then we’ll be good,” Forrester said.

The next time Burroughs had the ball, Forrester (114 yards on three carries and 57 yards on three catches) needed one play to burst through for an 83-yard score as 9:16 remained in the second quarter and the Indians’ advantage was extended to 39-12.

When Garcia’s 20-yard aerial found Forrester with 4:56 was left before the half, the Indians, who marched 49 yards and consumed six plays, held a 46-12 edge.

The second half began as the opening half did, with a touchdown as Garcia rifled a 23-yard toss to sophomore wide receiver Elijah Aldana-Pere (55 yards on four receptions) as 9:14 remained in the third quarter as the Indians shuffled ahead 52-12.

Senior running back Adrian Leon (52 yards on seven rushes) scored the Indians’ final touchdown, a 15-yard tally with 9:14 left in the fourth period as Burroughs had a 47-point cushion.

Hueneme junior quarterback Ethan Neos (nine of 20 for 101 yards and one interception) had three scoring passes with two landing into the hands of junior wide receiver Manuel Ortiz (50 yards on four receptions) that covered 10 yards and came with 2:15 left in the first quarter that cut the lead to 26-6 and a 22-yard bomb with 3:45 showing in the fourth period that sliced the edge to 59-18.

Neos also proved to be a slick and steady ball-carrier as he accounted for 58 yards on 10 carries for the Vikings (185 total yards).

The Indians will host Victor Valley next Friday night at Memorial Field with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Burroughs Football Ready to Put Recent Past in Rear View Mirror

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The last three years have not been easy for the Burroughs High football team as the Indians have failed to move on to postseason play, something that has not happened since the days of playing in the Foothill League more than a decade ago.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

But the Indians plan to change that and get back to the days when being a regular playoff participant was customary.

Burroughs qualified for the CIF Southern Section playoffs eight of the first 10 years in the Pacific League after leaving the Foothill following the 2005-2006 school year.

“This team this year is a special group of guys that have come together. We focused on that in the offseason. We tried to build a cohesive group that, one wants to play together and two is having fun doing it,” second-year coach Rand Holdren said. “I think this team is capable of a lot of special things this year. It’s been a joy to coach this group. This staff has put in a lot of hours this offseason. I think it is the best staff in the Pacific League and they are giving their all and the kids have put (the work) in. It has been extremely productive this offseason.”

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

Burroughs was very young last year when it went 2-8. Thus the Indians have a lot of talent back from that squad.

Senior quarterback Nicholas Garcia (5-foot-10, 171 pounds) takes over the role full time this year after seeing time at the position last year and has greatly improved according to Holdren.

Junior running back Luke Rogers (5-8, 181) returns as the Indians’ main tailback, the same role he played last year.

Garcia will have lots of passing targets. Senior Ellington Simmons (6-3, 196) and sophomore Elijah Aldana-Pere (6-2, 165) offer large targets.

Seniors Aiden Forrester (6-0, 185) and Carson Cardenaz (5-10, 164) will play in the slot and offer quick options. Some may remember that Forrester returned the opening kickoff against rival Burbank for a touchdown last year.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

The offensive line is solid led by senior Allen Arriaga (6-3, 246). Caden Cardenaz (5-5, 174) will play center. Sophomore Jose Olivares (6-2, 244),  senior Eric Quintero (6-1, 225), senior Michael Pentland (6-4, 195), junior Brandon Sowers (6-3, 240) and senior Henry Diaz (6-1, 218) will fill in for the rest of the line.

Defensively, the Indians are led by Forrester, who will start at safety. Simmons will also see time at safety. Senior John Alajijian (5-8, 140) should hold down a spot in the secondary along with Aldana-Pere. Seniors Clayton Stricker (6-0, 144) and Diego Castellon (5-6, 135) are two more solid defensive backs.

Diaz, who is a captain, will lead the group of linebackers. Carson Cardenaz also figures to be part of the linebacking crew, as will Rogers.

(Photo by Ross A Benson)

The defensive line will include many of the same players on the offensive line. Oliveros, Pentland, Sowers, and Quintero figure to be the key players rushing the opposing quarterbacks.

Holdren said he knows getting back to the playoffs won’t be easy, but he is optimistic.

“Burbank and CV are always going to be tough. Muir is stacked. You don’t know what is going on at Arcadia. That will be interesting,” Holdren said.  “I know Glendale has put in a lot of work this offseason. I like our chances in the league this year. This is going to be a fun year. This is an exciting team to watch.”

Burroughs Football Comes Up Just Short Against Pasadena

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It hasn’t been the easiest of seasons for the Burroughs High football team.

But the Indians certainly haven’t lost football games because of a lack of effort.

Friday night the Indians put together a solid performance against host Pasadena, coming up short 35-32.

“It was a football game. It was a fun game to be a part of,” Burroughs coach Rand Holdren said. “I thought they fought all the way through and they executed. We had a fourth and goal and we stepped up and scored, which is big for us. I thought it was a good game for Burroughs. I wish it would have come out on the other side.”

Alex Deptula scored on a 2-yard run with 31 seconds left, giving Burroughs a chance to attempt a last-second effort at an onsides kick.

Pasadena (5-4, 3-3 in league) recovered that attempt, however.

Burroughs (2-7, 2-4) overcame a 14-0 deficit.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Quarterback Nathan Piper hooked up with junior Ellington Simmons on a 16-yard touchdown with 5:36 left in the first half to make it 14-7.

The Indians cut the deficit to 14-13 just before halftime when Alex Perez returned a fumble 78 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked.

The game was halted in the third quarter due to a hip injury to Burroughs defensive back Kyle Heyman. Heyman was alert and talking with paramedics prior to being transported to a local hospital.

Following the delay, the game began to open up more as the defenses on both sides start to tire and the offenses started move the ball with ease.

Piper and Simmons hooked up late in the third quarter, this time on a spectacular catch from the receiver. The touchdown gave Burroughs a 19-14 lead with 2:49 left in the third quarter after the two-point conversion failed.

Pasadena battled back and regained the lead on a 1-yard run by Malachi Langley. Langley finished with 26 carries for 215 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Burroughs fought back as Luke Rogers scored on a 2-yard run midway through the fourth quarter to make it 25-21.

But Pasadena’s 14-year-old freshman Mekhi Fox returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown. It was Fox’s second touchdown of the game.

Burroughs looked poised to get back down the field again.

But the Indians’ next drive was halted on an interception by Pasadena’s Nicholas Benson.
Langley then scored on a 79-yard run on the first play of the Bulldogs’ drive, making it 35-25 with 6:01 to play.

“I thought our guys fought and left it all on the field. It was good for us,” Holdren said. “We made some adjustments and we started being successful running the ball. Then we started being successful and stuck with it.”

Rogers led Burroughs on the ground carrying the ball 25 times for 96 yards. Piper also had 13 carries for 80 yards. Piper also completed 12 of 23 passes for 117 yards.

Burroughs Football Falls to Muir

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The defense hasn’t been the problem for the Burroughs High football team in recent weeks.

That was the case again Friday when the Indians faced Muir High.

Unfortunately turnovers put the Indians in a few situations that proved costly in a 36-0 loss.

“We didn’t execute. We’re doing things defensively. We have to move the ball on offense. I’m going to look at it and fix whatever the problem is,” Burroughs coach Rand Holdren said.

Burroughs (1-6 overall, 1-3 in league) intercepted Muir quarterback Brian Love twice in the first half.

Aiden Forrester got the first interception, which was late in the first quarter.

Henry Diaz then got a second-quarter interception that was deep in Muir territory.

Burroughs had the ball at the Muir 18-yard line, but could not punch its way onto the scoreboard.

Muir’s first touchdown came on a 33-yard run from Jahlique Stephens. Stephens is a rare four-year varsity starter as he played his first two years of his high school career at Arcadia High.

Muir went up 14-0 at the 3:43 mark of the second quarter when Calen Bullock picked up a fumble by teammate Aryonis Harrison and raced to the end zone.

The Mustangs took advantage of a Burroughs turnover to add a 19-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.

“Defensively we played lights out tonight,” Muir coach Antyone Sims said.

Muir (6-1, 3-1) got a 43-yard touchdown run from Aulonzo Bailey early in the fourth quarter.

Burroughs’ next drive ended when Muir’s Chuck Shull made a fine defensive read to intercept Burroughhs quarterback Nathan Piper.

Shull returned the interception 45 yards for a touchdown.

Burroughs’ Luke Rogers carried the ball 21 times for 49 yards to lead his team.

Burroughs Football Plays Crescenta Valley Tough, Loses 28-7

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By Rick Assad

 

A stout defensive effort in the first half kept the Burroughs High football team within striking distance of undefeated Crescenta Valley on Thursday night at Moyse Field in Glendale.

What occurred over 21 seconds early in the third quarter helped the Falcons pull away and ultimately win 28-7 in a Pacific League encounter.

A 37-yard scramble by senior quarterback Cole Doyle made it 14-0 with 9:41 left and it became 21-0 when junior quarterback Nick Garcia was intercepted by junior defensive back Vincent Parrott, who raced 53 yards into the end zone as 9:20 remained.

Nick Garcia gets rid of a pass as linebacker Daniel Cho gives chase. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The Falcons (6-0 and 3-0 in league) then forged ahead 28-0 when the Indians were held to one yard on a trick play when junior wide receiver Aiden Forrester connected with Garcia on fourth and six from the Crescenta Valley 45-yard line.

Doyle capped a five-play, 54-yard march with a one-yard sneak as 3:19 was left in the third.

“Their D-line was super strong,” first-year Burroughs coach Rand Holdren said of the Falcons. “They’re a well coached team. They’re very good at what they do.”

The Indians (1-5 and 1-2 in league) scored their lone touchdown when Garcia (28 yards on five carries) galloped 30 yards as 32 seconds was left in the contest.

Burroughs’ defense kept the Falcons at bay during most of the opening half with the exception being when Doyle (126 yards on 21 carries) tacked on a nine-yard run with 12 seconds left in the first quarter that made it 7-0.

Luke Rogers had 47 yards on 21 carries against the Falcons. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The Indians (171 total net yards) forced the Falcons to punt on their opening drive and later picked off Doyle (14 of 21 for 146 yards with two interceptions) on Crescenta Valley’s third possession.

Crescenta Valley (335 total yards) punted on its fourth and fifth series and at times seemed frustrated at not being able to move the ball.

Likewise the Indians had a tough time advancing the ball, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort and were within scoring range twice.

Burroughs moved from the Falcons 30-yard line to the Crescenta Valley 18 when Garcia attempted a 35-yard field goal that drifted wide left with 4:16 on the clock.

“In the first quarter we got into the red zone two times,” Holdren said. “We’ve gotta finish in the red zone. I’m proud of our kids for fighting all the way through. We went into the half 7-0. We’re finding pieces that work.”

On a drive late in the first quarter that began at the Burroughs 42 and advanced to the Falcons 17, ended when Garcia’s pass fell incomplete on fourth and six.

Colby Rees catching the ball for the Falcons. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burroughs sophomore running back Luke Rogers is its top ground-gainer, but didn’t have much space to run, finishing with 47 yards on 21 rushes.

The same would hold true for senior quarterback Nathan Piper and his backup, Garcia, who were harassed most of the evening.

Piper completed 10 of 27 attempts for 109 yards with one interception, while Garcia didn’t complete a pass in five attempts with one pick.

“We’re trying our best to get it out quick and make the proper read,” Holdren said. “It’s hard to read the field. I’ve been there.”

Burroughs next travels to Muir for a Friday night Pacific League battle that kicks off at 7 p.m.

Burroughs Football Gets First Win, 45-6, Over Glendale

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By Rick Assad

 

It took five attempts, but the Burroughs High football team finally earned its first win of the season.

In overwhelming fashion the Indians ran roughshod over Glendale 45-6 on Thursday night in a Pacific League game at Memorial Field.

The Indians (1-4 and 1-1 in league) leaned heavily on sophomore running back Luke Rogers, who had a game-best 204 yards on 23 carries.

Luke Rogers finished with 207 yards and two scores in a 45-6 win over Glendale. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

“It’s always a fun thing, especially with this O-line,” Rogers said of carrying the ball. “I thought Glendale played well. This game we finally put four quarters together.”

Rogers knows that Burroughs’ next game is going to be a great deal tougher when it faces powerful Crescenta Valley.

“I think we just need to keep working hard and trying our best,” Rogers said of the upcoming road game.

Rogers had a pair of scoring runs including a 55-yarder with 4:31 left in the third quarter that handed the Indians a 39-0 lead.

Rogers also delivered a two-yard romp into the end zone with 10:59 left in the second quarter for a 14-0 cushion. The Indians used eight plays that covered 58 yards.

“The kids played well and we executed,” first-year Burroughs coach Rand Holdren said. “That’s what our goal was today.”

Quarterback Nathan Piper had a scoring pass in the first half. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The Indians’ defense was stellar as they allowed one touchdown when senior quarterback Trent Lousararian (five of 16 for 96 yards and one interception) drilled senior wide receiver Christopher Ibarra (86 yards on two catches) with a short pass that turned into a 78-yard play with 3:28 remaining in the third quarter as the Nitros (1-4 and 0-2 in league) cut the lead to 39-6.

Holdren was pleased with the outcome. “The first half I thought we did well,” he noted. “In the third quarter we were probably dragging, and then we started getting guys in.”

Burroughs controlled the clock throughout against Glendale (72 total net yards), but especially on the game’s opening drive which took seven minutes.

The march commenced at the Burroughs 20-yard line, consumed 17 plays and was capped when senior quarterback Nathan Piper (eight of 14 for 71 yards) hit senior wide receiver Nathan Turner (13 yards on two receptions) with a five-yard strike as 4:57 remained.

Burroughs (434 total yards) took a 21-0 lead into the dressing room after Piper (29 yards on five carries) called his own number and scored on a 20-yard scamper with 57.9 seconds left.

Special teams maven Aiden Forrester doing his thing against the Nitros. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burroughs scored on three consecutive drives  to begin the second half.

The first made it 27-0 when junior backup quarterback Nick Garcia (three of five for 33 yards) hammered senior wide receiver Johnny Factora with a six-yard toss as 8:57 remained, closing a 35-yard, four-play drive.

On its second series the lead became 33-0 on Garcia’s 18-yard sprint as 7:03 was left and ended a four-play, 57-yard march.

The Indians’ lead swelled to 45-6 when junior running back Adrian Leon (39 yards on six rushes) raced in from 12 yards out and 9:24 left, finalizing a 39-yard, five-play excursion.

Burroughs will face the undefeated Falcons next Thursday at Moyse Field in Glendale with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Burroughs Football Stays Close, Falters in Second Half Against Arcadia

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By Rick Assad

 

Too many chunk plays were at the source of the Burroughs High football team’s problems when it faced Arcadia on Friday night.

Four long plays that resulted in touchdowns helped catapult the Apaches to a 45-27 victory in the Pacific League opener at Memorial Field.

The Indians drew within 17-7 at halftime when sophomore running back Luke Rogers (81 yards on 35 rushes) scored on a seven-yard run with 12.8 seconds left, but then allowed four scores in the second half.

Hard-running Luke Rogers had 77 yards for the Indians in a 45-27 loss to Arcadia. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“That’s been the story of our year,” first-year Burroughs coach Rand Holdren said. “We’ve gotta finish. Last week we played a half. In the Canyon game we played a quarter. Tonight we played three quarters.”

Burroughs (0-4 and 0-1 in league) cut Arcadia’s lead to 31-13 with just under 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter when junior Nick Garcia (two of four for 26 yards), who came in and played quarterback, scored from two yards out.

A one-yard tally by senior Nathan Piper (10 of 25 for 114 yards and three interceptions), the starting quarterback, and 4:42 left sliced Arcadia’s advantage to 38-19.

Piper’s five-yard toss to Garcia and Rogers’ two-point conversion run lowered the margin to 38-27 with 2:21 showing.

Nathan Piper scored on a run and tossed a touchdown. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“Our schedule has been an absolute buzz-saw,” said Holdren, whose team allowed 54 points to West Ranch, 50 to Canyon and 39 to Harvard-Westlake. “One of these games we’re going to put four quarters together.”

Holdren then added: “We’re trying to focus on ourselves,” he said. “Tonight was encouraging. That’s [Arcadia] an all-star team.”

Arcadia’s Cristian Reyes hammered a 25-yard field goal with 7:46 left in the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.

The Apaches (2-2 and 1-0 in league) then surged ahead 10-0 when junior quarterback Dylan Guerra (32 of 40 for 444 yards) unloaded a 26-yard toss to senior wide receiver Jabari Kindle (152 yards on six catches) with 4:25 remaining in the second quarter, ending a 53-yard, six-play march.

Arcadia’s defense was stout against the run most of the game. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Guerra’s 23-yard aerial to senior wide receiver Frankie Contreras (106 yards on seven receptions) pushed Arcadia’s lead to 17-0 with 1:51 left as the Apaches (548 total net yards) drove from their 37-yard line and consumed seven plays.

It took one play, a 60-yard dash by senior wide receiver Demarco Moorer (56 yards on five carries) to make it 24-7 with 9:52 showing in the third frame.

A four-play, 82-yard march ended with Guerra’s 60-yard strike to senior wide receiver Rolandiss Whitener (100 yards on six catches) and 5:48 left that shoved the Apaches ahead 31-7.

A drive that began at Arcadia’s 33 and used two plays was finalized when Guerra threw a 55-yard offering to Kindle and 7:43 left on the clock in the fourth period as the Apaches waltzed ahead 38-13.

Senior wide receiver Deonte Bevel capped off the night’s scoring with a 44-yard ramble and his only run with 1:32 left as Arcadia marched 60 yards on two plays.

The Indians (215 total yards) will play next Thursday at home against Glendale in a league match and a 7 p.m. start.

Burroughs Football Plays Much Better Against Canyon

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By Rick Assad

 

For the second straight game, the Burroughs High football team allowed 50 points, but in Friday’s encounter versus Canyon at Memorial Field, the Indians looked much better after mustering three touchdowns in a 50-21 setback in a nonleague match.

Senior quarterback Nathan Piper (13 of 26 for 69 yards) scored on a one-yard run that made it 15-7 with 2:01 left before the half.

Senior quarterback Nathan Piper had a one-yard scoring run against Canyon. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Piper’s score, which capped a 19-play, 78-yard drive, was the first points for the Indians, who were blanked on the road against West Ranch, 54-0, in the season opener.

Junior Aiden Forrester picked off a pass and returned the ball 83 yards that cut Canyon’s lead to 29-14 with 6:53 left in the fourth quarter.

When Forrester, who has extraordinary speed and quickness, ran back the kickoff 97 yards, it shaved Canyon’s edge to 43-21 with 2:35 showing.

“Special teams was great,” Burroughs first-year coach Rand Holdren said. “The effort is what’s important that we can take away. We had a rough outing last week. This week we really focused on working to finish and sell out.”

Holdren liked the effort. “These kids are learning. They fought together,” he said. “These boys acting like a team. Being proud to be out here. I’m proud of them.”

Sophomore running back Luke Rogers garnered a team-best 48 yards on 17 carries for the Indians (0-2).

Yardage on the ground was hard to come by for the Indians. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Cowboys (1-1) jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as junior quarterback Aydyn Litz tossed three scoring passes in the first half.

Canyon took a 7-0 lead with 10:09 on the clock when Litz tossed a lateral to senior running back Shawn Gallagher, who unloaded a 50-yard laser to junior wide receiver Aiden Corcoran.

After a mixup in the Indians’ backfield that resulted in a safety with 1:16 left in the opening frame, the Cowboys were ahead 9-0.

When Litz (13 of 22 for 252 yards) found senior wide receiver Nico Shields (118 yards on six receptions) with a 75-yard strike early in the second quarter, Canyon moved in front 15-0.

With 1:45 left before the break, Litz connected with senior wide receiver Carson Strickland (66 yards on two catches) on a 60-yard toss that gave the Cowboys a 22-7 edge.

Canyon ran and threw the ball effectively in a 50-21 win. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Litz capped off the first-half scoring with a 10-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver James Mendibles (23 yards on two receptions) with 25.1 seconds left as Canyon pushed the lead to 29-7.

Senior running back Jake Acquaviva (147 yards on 17 rushes) tacked on a four-yard scoring romp with 5:24 left in the contest that put the Cowboys (542 total yards) in front 36-14.

When Litz crossed the goal line from a yard out with 2:50 showing in the game it became 43-14.

Senior running back Caleb Magno found the end zone on a 10-yard sprint that ended the scoring with 1:14 left and made it a 29-point differential for the Indians (96 total yards).

Burroughs’ next game will be Thursday against Harvard-Westlake when it hosts the Wolverines with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Burroughs Football Roughed Up in Opener

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Burroughs High football coach Rand Holdren knew his debut as a head coach would not come easy on the road against West Ranch of Stevenson Ranch.
What he didn’t know was how difficult things would be.
Burroughs fell behind early and things only got worse in a 54-0 loss at Valencia High Thursday night.

“We’ve got to execute, that’s what it boils down to. We’ll go back to the field tomorrow. West Ranch is good, there’s no doubt about that,” Holdren said. “The frustrating part is that we did not put what we’ve been doing on the field tonight. We knew it would be a big challenge, but 54-0 is not what we anticipated.”

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Burroughs (0-1) had just two first downs and 35 yards of total offense in the first half as West Ranch took advantage of four turnovers to make it 54-0 at the intermission.

The second half was played with a running clock.

“I thought we had a good game plan. I thought we had a nice idea of what we should be doing,” Holdren said. “Our kids are learning and learning how to watch the tape. When you watch tape not everybody is as fast and physical as they are live. Our guys are learning that you have to respect your opponent, you have to execute and do what you are supposed to do.”

Burroughs quarterback  Nathan Piper finished 7 of 22 for 28 yards passing. He was intercepted twice.

Luke Rogers had 14 carries for 38 yards to lead Burroughs on the ground.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The Indians return to Memorial Field next Friday night when they will face former Foothill League opponent Canyon High.