Tag Archives: Nathan Piper

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.

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 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 Improvement Not Enough Against Harvard-Westlake

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The Burroughs High football team continued to make significant strides Thursday evening when the Indians hosted Harvard-Westlake at Memorial Field.

However, those strides were not enough to overcome the visiting Wolverines in a 39-15 nonleague loss.

“The kids saw in the first half that we put it together,” Burroughs coach Rand Holdren said. “You can’t take your foot off the gas and think we’ve won. We need a full four quarters.”

Burroughs (0-3) actually took the lead early on and trailed just 11-8 at halftime.

But things went south in the second half as Harvard-Westlake (2-2) scored a pair of touchdowns early in the third quarter and were never threatened again.

“We’ve got to walk through every scenario that there is,” Holdren said of his film session with his team.

Much of damage done to Burroughs was on special teams. Burroughs had one of its punts blocked, which translated into a Wolverine touchdown. Harvard-Westlake also successfully took advantage of an onsides kick and also recovered a loose ball kickoff to Burroughs.

Burroughs got on the board first as quarterback Nathan Piper scored on a keeper with 8:40 left in the first quarter. Burroughs also scored on the ensuing two-point conversion.

Harvard-Westlake tied things up early in the second quarter when quarterback Jameson Wang found Terrell Long on a 17-yard touchdown reception.

It was one of two touchdowns from Wang to Long.

Burroughs made a comeback with 4:47 left in the third quarter as Piper hooked up with junior Ellington Simmons on an 8-yard touchdown reception to make it 25-15.

Sophomore Burroughs tailback Luke Rogers carried the ball 26 times for 119 yards.

Harvard-Westlake was led by tailback Sultan Daniels, who had 15 carries for 116 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Burroughs opens Pacific League play next Friday and will host Arcadia High at 7 p.m.

Photo Gallery by Ross A. Benson

 

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.

 

Burroughs Football Ready to Get Down to Business

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Missing the CIF Southern Section playoffs the last two seasons was tough on the Burroughs High football program after the Indians had been a regular playoff participant over much of the past decade.
First-year coach Rand Holdren realizes turning things around won’t be easy, but he feels the only direction his team is headed is up.

Holdren, who takes over for Mike Reily, is an offensive-minded coach who has most recently worked at Alemany High in Mission Hills after a stint at Harvard-Westlake in North Hollywood.

Former Burroughs Head Coach and current Defensive Coordinator Keith Knoop (left) with current Head Coach Rand Holdren. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

“The guys were a little beaten down after last year. I want to get them all going in the same direction. That’s been our goal and mindset since day one,” Holdren said. ” We’re going to need all hands on deck. We don’t have any of the five star or four-star players or all that fancy stuff. We’re a group of guys that work together and that’s how we’re going to win ballgames.

Holdren will benefit from having longtime head coach Keith Knoop on his staff as his defensive coordinator.The Indians open the season Aug. 23 on the road against West Ranch of Stevenson Ranch.
Burroughs, which has 14 seniors, returns starting quarterback Nathan Piper (6-1, 170), who Holdren said had a good summer. Junior Nick Garcia (5-9, 170) also impressed Holdren and could see some time at quarterback.

Nathan Piper returns as the Indians’ quaterback. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Junior David Garza (5-8, 150) and sophomore Luke Rogers (5-6, 145) have impressed as ball carriers.
Seniors Johnny Factora (5-11, 155) and Andrew English (5-9, 195) and junior Alex Perez (5-10, 145) look to be passing targets for Piper.
The offensive line is young, but appears to have a lot of potential.
Senior Ferdy Hernandez (6-2, 250) is the veteran of the group. Junior Donovan Reyes (6-4, 205) will certainly offer trouble to opposing teams due to his size. The Indians also have junior Oscar Pette (6-3, 280), junior Allen Arriaga (6-2, 240), junior Eric Quintero (6-1, 220) and sophomore Austin Sowers (6-3, 240).
The Burroughs defensive line will feature many of the same players that play on the offensive line.

Daniel Foxx figures to be a leader for Burroughs on defense. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Senior Daniel Foxx (5-10, 190), junior Henry Diaz Jr. (6-0, 200) and senior Alex Deptula (6-0, 170) have all looked solid as linebackers according to Holdren.
The defensive secondary figures to feature many of the players the Indians use offensively in the backfield and as receivers.

Juniors Ozzy Perez (5-10, 150), Ellington Simmons (6-3, 180), Aiden Forrester (5-10, 168), Chance Spinks (6-0, 150)  all could see a role in the secondary. With a young team, Holdren is setting realistic goals for his team.
“For us it is to reach our full potential,” he said.

Burbank Football Beats Burroughs, Wins Pacific League Title

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Burbank High’s football team a year ago was arguably the best in school history and it couldn’t do what the 2017 Bulldogs did Friday night.

Playing against rival Burroughs, Burbank completed the Pacific League season unbeaten by winning 41-14 over the Indians.

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

“When you believe in something and everyone buys in you accomplish great things.  I’m just really proud of them,” first-year Burbank coach Adam Colman said of his team.

Burbank (8-2, 7-0) didn’t get things rolling right away as Burroughs played tough defense all night.

Bulldogs quarterback Matthew Porras finished 21 of 32 for 239 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.

An interception by Evan Osegueda prevented Burbank from scoring on its first drive.

Burroughs (4-5, 3-4) struggled to move the ball offensively in the first half, even though it was playing solid defense.

“Our dudes hung in there. With the injuries that we sustained, I couldn’t be more proud (of my team),” Burroughs coach Mike Reily said. “Hats off to coach Colman and his staff. Boy, did he inherit a big team full of athletes. We practiced against a couple of different fronts that we thought they’d be giving us and that’s exactly what they came out and gave us.”

Burbank broke up the scoring as Porras and fellow junior Duncan Smith hooked up on a 7-yard touchdown pass with 43 seconds left in the first half. It was the first of three touchdowns the pair would team up for.

Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

“Everyone has been working together,” Porras said of his team. “All the hard we’ve been doing in the offseason and during the season, we’ve been all doing it for this moment.”

After Porras and Smith combined on Burbank’s second touchdown, Porras hooked up with Kaydon Spens on an 18-yard pass for the Bulldogs’ third touchdown.

“We worked so hard for this from the summer until now,” Smith said. “We expected this and to finally accomplish it is great.”

(Photo by © Ross A. Benson)

Burroughs fought back as Charlie Rodriguez ran back the ensuing kickoff to make it 21-7 with 4:01 left in the first half.

The Indians cut the deficit early in the third quarter when Burroughs junior quarterback Nathan Piper was able to sneak the ball past Burbank’s defense to a wide open Gavin Aguilar, who scored on a 66-yard pass play. Piper finished 9 of 16 passing for 158 yards.

But Burbank’s defense would not be fooled again.

Darnell Williams scored the first of his two touchdowns at the 3:31 mark of the third quarter to give Burbank a 28-14 advantage. Williams finished with 152 yards in 30 carries.

Burroughs running back Ben Peters had 45 yards in 11 carries.

Burbank, which will play in the CIF Southern Section Division 7, will learn its playoff fate Sunday afternoon when the Southern Section releases its pairings. The Bulldogs should expect to have a home game as a result of winning the league title outright.

 

Burroughs, which was slated to play in Division 8, will hope it has done enough to convince the CIF committee that it deserves a place in the playoffs as an at-large entry.