Tag Archives: nonleague

Burroughs Remains Undefeated After 38-21 Triumph Over Harvard-Westlake

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By Rick Assad

Each week there has been a hurdle for the Burroughs High football team to leap over and each week it’s ended with success.

On Friday night against Harvard-Westlake at Ted Slavin Field on the Studio City campus, the Indians used a 25-point outburst and eventually held off the Wolverines 38-21 in a nonleague game.

Quarterback Nicholas Garcia flips the ball to running back Jon English. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Harvard-Westlake came out early and took command 7-0, only to see Burroughs rally and tally four straight touchdowns.

A season ago, the Wolverines came into Memorial Field and claimed a 24-point victory over the Indians.

The tandem of senior quarterback Nicholas Garcia and senior wide receiver Carson Cardenaz tied it at 7-7 with 6:30 left in the opening quarter when Garcia put together a 73-yard, seven-play march that culminated in a five-yard toss.

“We play everyone better every week throughout the season and everyone gets better,” said Garcia, who passed for 272 yards and connected on 23 of 35 attempts with one interception of the first four teams the Indians have faced. “When we get Glendale, we’re going to get all their sophomores. Once we get CV [Crescenta Valley], everything’s going to get real quick.”

It was physical on both sides of the line of scrimmage. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

A 17-yard strike to Cardenaz from Garcia made it 13-7 with 3:55 remaining in the initial period that capped a 53-yard, eight-play trek.

In short order the Indians’ advantage became 19-7 when Garcia drilled his favorite target, Cardenez (163 yards on 12  receptions) with a 24-yard pass as 7:57 was left in the second quarter, concluding a 43-yard, three-play drive.

With 5:47 showing before halftime, Burroughs (4-0) used a 34-yard, four-play drive and bolted ahead 25-7 after Garcia hit senior wide receiver Aiden Forrester (59 yards on six catches with an eight-yard toss.

“I just want to push my team forward. I want to get them as far as they can go,” said sophomore wide receiver John Alajijian, who snared three receptions for 45 yards. “Where ever the coaches need me. I can play all four receiver spots. I’m like a utility guy.”

Nicholas Garcia is a nifty runner and very elusive. The senior has scored a rushing touchdown in every game this season. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

After taking a 7-0 lead on the game’s first series when junior quarterback Evan Roderick (13 of 27 for 212 yards with one pick) drilled junior tight end Jack Weisskopf with a three-yard pass and 11:14 left, the Wolverines (1-3) shaved the advantage to 25-14 when Roderick hit sophomore wide receiver Jason Thompson (81 yards on six receptions) with an eight-yard toss and 1:53 left before the break.

Harvard-Westlake’s first scoring drive began at its 48-yard line and consumed three plays, while the second touchdown was a 10-play, 59-yard march.

A 65-yard pass play from Roderick to senior wide receiver Brendan Kang (87 yards on four catches) trimmed the Burroughs’ lead to 25-21 with no time left in the third quarter and took two plays.

At this juncture and only 12 minutes left in the game, the Indians (501 total net yards) knew they were in for a battle and responded by scoring two touchdowns in the final quarter.

With the ball resting at the Burroughs 35-yard line, Garcia methodically moved the team down field.

The key gain was Garcia’s 24-yard scamper that placed the football at the Harvard-Westlake 24-yard line.

Three plays later, Garcia (108 yards on 11 carries) ended the seven-play excursion with a 20-yard burst and 9:13 left that made it 31-21.

The Indians’ lead was extended to 38-21 when sophomore running back Jon English (110 yards on 24 carries) waltzed into the end zone on a nine-yard carry and 3:31 left, which ended any hope Harvard-Westlake (355 total yards) would rally.

Burroughs will begin its Pacific League schedule next Friday night at 7 p.m. with a game against Glendale at Moyse Field.

Burroughs Still Unblemished After Beating Host Kennedy 41-24

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By Rick Assad

Quick starts by the offense and a ferocious defense have helped the Burroughs High football team get early leads and remain undefeated through three games, including Thursday night’s 41-24 nonleague victory over Kennedy at Handel Stadium on the campus of Western High in Anaheim.

This was the first road game for the Indians, who came in having scored 105 points while allowing 30.

“We had to play the second half. So that was new,” said Burroughs coach Rand Holdren of being challenged over the last 24 minutes. “But we’re like everybody in the state of California, we’re thin. We’ve got some guys banged up. They need to get healthy. It all boils down to efficiency. We need that perfect game. We need to play and execute at the level that we can. We show flashes of it.”

Burroughs senior quarterback Nicholas Garcia had four scoring passes and a pair of rushing scores in Thursday’s 41-24 win over host Kennedy. (Photo by Steve Garden)

The Indians came out and found the end zone on their first series as senior quarterback Nicholas Garcia capped the 80-yard, 12-play trek with a 15-yard strike on fourth and goal to senior wide receiver Carson Cardenaz, who grabbed three scoring passes, as 6:46 remained in the opening quarter.

Garcia finished his work by throwing four touchdown passes and adding two rushing scores, but was intercepted twice, the first time he has been picked off this season.

The Fighting Irish (1-2) cut the lead to four points on a 35-yard field goal with 3:23 left on the clock in the initial period.

Garcia’s second scoring toss went to Cardenaz (85 yards on six receptions) and covered 14 yards as the Indians’ lead became 14-3 and 1:59 remaining in the second quarter.

The five-play drive began after junior wide receiver/cornerback John Alajijian recovered a fumble at the Kennedy 45-yard line.

Sophomore running back Jon English had a solid outing for the Indians. (Photo by Steve Garden)

Burroughs (3-0) spurted ahead by 18 points just before halftime when Garcia burrowed into the end zone from one yard out.

This march commenced at the Burroughs 45-yard line and saw the Indians use only four plays.

Kennedy (299 total net yards) then drew within 21-10 when Garcia (20 of 40 for 264 yards) was intercepted by junior defensive lineman Jequen Bedgood, who raced eight yards for the score with 11:32 left in the third quarter.

The Indians took control 28-10 when Garcia orchestrated a 12-play, 72-yard drive and eventually drilled Cardenaz on a five-yard strike and 7:12 showing in the third period.

“Pressure-wise, I don’t feel like it’s that bad,” said Cardenaz of trying to improve each week. “Coaches are hammering us and hammering us. That’s the only way we’re going to get better. Every week we’re going to come out in practice and try harder. As the weeks go on, we do have to get better. I feel like our team’s got this. We’ve got the confidence. Just focus and grind it.”

Cardenaz didn’t play football last season. Why did he return to the team this season? “I decided to come back because last year, when I took it off, I came to the games, of course to support my guys,” he said. “It was kind of hard watching them play without me. I realized how much I missed the games. I focused on hoops, and then I decided to come back.”

Junior Michael Pentland makes the tackle. (Photo by Steve Garden)

Burroughs extended its lead to 34-10 when Garcia’s four-yard laser found Alajijian with 2:44 left on the ticker in the same stanza.

The Indians (448 total yards) capped their offensive output for the evening with a one-yard keeper from Garcia and 1:38 remaining in the game on a 40-yard march that consumed six plays as the advantage became 41-10.

Kennedy rallied for two scores in the fourth quarter when senior field general Ryan Cathcart zig-zaged his way 49 yards to make it 41-17 as 10:05 was left.

Cathcart’s 65-yard pass to senior wide receiver Aidan Frieson with 5:40 left made it a 17-point deficit.

Burroughs will once again be on the road next week for a nonleague match on Friday against Harvard-Westlake.

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.

Burbank High Boys Volleyball Extended Four Sets By Hart

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By Rick Assad

 

Only two matches have been played and the Burbank High boys’ volleyball team has balanced its books after defeating Hart on Thursday afternoon.

The nonleague battle was extended to four sets and claimed by the Bulldogs, 25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 25-22.

Burbank senior opposite hitter/middle blocker Luca Bily goes for a point in a match against Hart. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank was swept in its season opener on Tuesday by host Harvard-Westlake, but two of the three sets were close, having been decided by two and four points.

“I think our energy was very good in the first two sets. We were passing well. The hitters were expressing themselves really well,” Burbank coach Karl Rojo said. “I think the setter was being dynamic with where he was going.”

There was a slight dip in the third frame.

“Maybe in the third we let up a little bit,” Rojo noted. “Getting my guys opportunities to figure it out. I’m glad these guys figured it out in the fourth. It was staying level-headed. They stayed tough-minded.”

The host Bulldogs came out in the fourth set and led 7-4 on a kill from senior outside hitter/opposite hitter Chase Marcy (match-best 12 kills) as the Indians called for a time out.

Joe Gomez delivered 16 digs and two aces as the Bulldogs fended off the Indians in four sets. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The lead became 9-4 on another spike from Marcy, but Hart evened it at 10-10 on an ace from Darin Dietz, as the Bulldogs requested time.

“In game three we just kinda clicked. I kind of let the game come to them,” Hart coach Loy Mueller said. “In game one and two, we were fighting against each other. I just let them play.”

Mueller is in his first season at Hart.

“I’m happy with what I saw at the end of game two to about halfway through game four,” he said.

Burbank evened it at 13-13 on a kill from Marcy (five digs and two aces), but Hart’s Jake Meyers leveled it at 14-14.

Jack Raytis had eight kills and two blocks for Burbank. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

When senior setter Brandon Villaflor (41 assists and four digs) hit a tapper, the Bulldogs scurried ahead 17-16.

A kill from Hart’s Ezra Moore evened it at 17-17, but Marcy’s spike forced a stoppage as the Bulldogs charged ahead 20-18.

Burbank vaulted in front 24-21 on consecutive kills from senior middle blocker Kalam Park (five kills) and the set and match was secured on a serving error by Meyers.

The first set saw the Bulldogs (1-1) race ahead 4-0 on a hitting error from Moore. A kill from senior opposite hitter Jack Raytis (eight kills and two blocks) gave the Bulldogs a 7-4 edge.

Burbank’s lead swelled to 8-4 on a block from Villaflor and an ace from Raytis made it a 9-4 as the Indians (0-2) requested time out.

Chase Marcy paced Burbank with a match-high 12 kills and five digs and two aces. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Marcy’s dagger made it 11-6 and a blast from Raytis pushed the lead to 14-8.

A kill from Raytis gave Burbank a 15-9 cushion and it became 16-10 on Park’s bullet.

A winner from Raytis pushed it to 18-14 and when Marcy added back-to-back winners, Burbank’s lead swelled to 21-16 as the Indians, who were swept by Alemany in their initial match, asked for a stoppage.

Marcy’s kill saw the Bulldogs surge ahead 23-19, a tapper from Park made it 24-19 and an ace from junior middle blocker Eric Galoustian capped the set.

The second game was tied at 1-1 and 4-4, but Galoustian’s block gave the Bulldogs a 6-4 margin. A spike from Marcy made it 9-6 and Burbank seized control at 10-8 on a kill from Park.

Villaflor’s service ace made it 11-8 and a tap from Raytis pushed it to 12-8. A hitting error by Meyers made it 14-9 as the Indians asked for time.

Crisp and accurate passing is always crucial as Chase Marcy shows. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Consecutive service aces from junior libero Joe Gomez (match-best 16 digs and two aces) pushed the lead to 18-10, as the visitors asked for a stoppage.

Villaflor’s kill made it 21-13, but when Marcy’s attempt sailed out of bounds, the Indians came within 21-17 as Burbank requested time out.

A combined stuff by senior outside hitter/opposite hitter Ryan Rickey (seven kills and 11 digs) and Villaflor extended the lead to 22-18, and Marcy’s kill saw the Bulldogs dash ahead two games to none.

The third set was level at 1-1, 3-3 and 7-7 before Rickey’s winner made it 9-7 as Hart needed a time out.

When Villaflor and senior middle hitter Dawson Koerper combined on a block, the Bulldogs powered in front 15-11.

Hart rallied and outscored Burbank 7-2 and led 18-17 as Rickey hit a ball out of bounds. A kill from Raytis evened it at 18-18, but the Indians moved ahead 21-19 on Rickey’s service error.

Alex Schmidt’s kill handed Hart a 23-21 edge and Schmidt’s smash gave the Indians the set.

Burroughs Boys Volleyball Eases By South Pasadena In Season Opener

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By Rick Assad

 

Sometimes a season opener can go sideways and turn out poorly, which isn’t the way to commence a campaign.

This didn’t happen for the Burroughs High boys’ volleyball team which needed only 68 minutes in order to sweep visiting South Pasadena in a nonleague battle.

The Indians have been the gold standard in the Pacific League, winning nine straight banners, and though not in midseason form, they were good enough to emerge with a win, 25-18, 25-13, 25-17 over the Tigers on Wednesday afternoon.

Louis Zekowski rises high off the floor and is about to smash the ball in a three-game sweep of South Pasadena. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Junior outside hitter Connor Burroughs laid the ground work after tallying a match-high 16 kills with four of the Indians’ 11 aces.

“I thought there were some good things in that first set that were crisp, but there were kind of the usual first game of the year things that we have to get out of the way,” Burroughs coach Joel Brinton said. “I thought we set the tone in the first game in what we wanted to do and it was nice in the second set that our serving took over the game.”

Brinton then went on: “We’ve got a lot of good guys out there,” he noted. “So they’re going to approach it the right way. There weren’t a lot of learning opportunities out there, hence the time out.”

Brinton asked for stoppage when the Tigers came within 21-15 in the first set, but the Indians rallied and held their ground and captured the initial frame.

Sophomore setter Carter Cottrell is about to pass the ball against the Tigers. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The third set was knotted at 2-2 before the Indians steamed ahead 7-4 on an ace from sophomore outside hitter/opposite hitter Kade McGovern (nine kills).

McGovern added a spike to make it 8-6 and senior middle hitter Jagger Green collected two blocks that gave the Indians a 10-6 margin.

A stuff from Burroughs handed the Indians a 13-8 advantage and when McGovern added a winner, the lead stretched to 14-8.

McGovern’s kill extended the lead to 16-10 and a spike from junior middle hitter Ellington Simmons pushed the cushion to 16-11.

When Burroughs added a kill, the Indians surged ahead 20-13 and an ace from sophomore setter Carter Cottrell (31 assists) made it 22-14 as South Pasadena asked for a time.

Kade McGovern delivered nine kills for the Indians in a season-opening win. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Junior outside hitter Malek Sadi’s rocket made it 23-14 and when senior outside hitter/opposite hitter Evan Trancoso tossed in a kill, the set and match was over.

In the opening game, the Indians dashed ahead 4-2 on a blast from junior middle hitter Troy Outwater and when Cottrell contributed an ace, the lead expanded to 5-2. A service winner from Burroughs pushed the advantage to 8-3 for the Indians.

Senior outside hitter Luke Kvarda’s kill extended the lead to 9-4 and back-to-back service aces from Outwater made it 11-4.

McGovern’s dagger and a tapper from Burroughs supplied the Indians with a 14-6 lead as the Tigers requested a stoppage in play.

Connor Burroughs set the tone offensively for the Indians with a match-high 16 kills. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Consecutive kills from Burroughs saw the Indians dash in front 16-9 and when Outwater added a laser and senior libero Sam Tipton (six digs) contributed an ace, the lead swelled to 18-9.

A block and a kill from Burroughs then handed the Indians a 21-11 cushion and a kill from senior middle hitter/outside hitter Ricky Kahlon made it 21-15 as the Tigers asked for time.

Burroughs then outscored South Pasadena 4-3, including the clinching kill by McGovern.

The middle game saw the Indians burst ahead 5-3 on a service winner from Cottrell. An Outwater kill made it 8-6 and a spike from Burroughs gave the Indians a 9-7 cushion.

McGovern’s ace put the Indians in front 10-7 and another service winner by Kvarda pushed the lead to 13-9.

A taper from Burroughs gave the Indians a 15-10 edge, McGovern’s dagger extended it to 17-11 and a Burroughs bullet saw the Indians glide ahead 18-12.

Consecutive service aces by Burroughs saw the Indians draw ahead 22-12. A combined block by Outwater and Sadi made it 23-12, a Burroughs kill stretched the Indians’ edge to 24-12 and Sadi’s winner made it a two games to none lead.

Burroughs Girls Water Polo Slips Past Clairemont

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By Rick Assad

 

If defense truly wins championships, and it does, then the Burroughs High girls’ water polo team should be fine.

On an afternoon in which the Indians claimed their first win of the season on Tuesday over visiting Clairemont 5-4, in a nonleague match, it was in dramatic fashion.

Clinging to a one-goal lead, Emanuella Nathan blocked two close-range shots in the span of 10 seconds in the waning moments and saved the day.

“I’m very like dialed in,” said Nathan, a junior goalie who had 24 saves. “I’m trying to direct the defense. So that’s my job. I try to look at the ball and look around and to just keep an eye on things. If I see someone open. I’m the chess player.”

Junior goalie Emanuella Nathan had a day to remember after saving 24 shots in a 5-4 win. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Nathan talked about how see approaches her position and what she does when the offensive player is in front of her.

“I look at the ball,” she noted. “They throw me off with their eyes. And I go for it.”

Nathan said that this is one of her strongest efforts. “This is probably one of my best out of his high school so far,” she said. “I had a really good one last year. Definitely one of my best this year.”

The effort did not escape Burroughs coach Jacob Cook. “Emma had a huge game. She was a major help on defense,” he said. “She saved us for sure.”

Cook liked the entire team effort, but a couple stood out. “Aleah [Orozco] had a big game and Amy [Berberyan] had the goal that put us up,” he pointed out.

When it comes to scoring, this is Orozco’s specialty, as the senior knocked home a match-best four.

It was a low-scoring affair between host Burroughs and Clairemont on Tuesday. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

But what turned out to be the game-winner was a 20-foot rainbow with 2:26 left in the fourth quarter turned in by Berberyan that made it 5-4.

The scoring began with 5:46 left in the second quarter when Orozco dropped in a tally for a 1-0 lead.

“I think honestly we became more intense during the last quarter because we thought that it was going to be such a close game,” Orozco said.

The lead stretched to 2-0 on Orozco’s 14-footer with 4:11 on the clock in the second quarter.

“We had a lot of doubt in the beginning considering this is a team from San Diego,” Orozco said. “I guess we came in just giving it our all. Emma brought our team together. She was amazing.”

The Indians picked up their first win of the season behind great defense. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Orozco’s five-meter penalty shot and 1:39 left in the second period lifted the Indians (1-2) to a 3-0 lead.

The edge expanded to 4-1 with 6:37 left in the third frame as Orozco’s 10-footer found the back of the net.

The Chieftans (0-1) sliced the lead to 3-1 when Ella Denny’s close-range attempt found the goal with 1:02 left in the second period.

Clairemont inched closer at 4-2 when Denny’s six-footer found the range as 5:46 remained in the third quarter.

“We put 45 shots on the goal,” Clairemont coach Joey Kienle said. “That goalie was the MVP today. It’s a young team and they’re still learning the game. They’re still learning how to score.”

Denny’s tally from six feet and 5:17 on the clock sliced the lead to 4-3 and Ashlynn Sauerwein’s point-blank attempt with 2:51 left evened it at 4-4.

“We just gotta work on our offense. Our defense was great today. It’s early in the season. That’s why we came here,” Kienle said.

Burbank Can’t Keep Pace With Hart, Falls 49-28

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By Rick Assad

For a second, if you closed your eyes and went back in time you may have thought Friday’s football game between Burbank High and Hart was a battle in the Foothill League.

It wasn’t and when it was over the Bulldogs didn’t have enough gas in the tank and lost to the Indians 49-28 in a nonleague match at Memorial Field.

Senior quarterback Matthew Porras had two scoring passes in a 49-28 loss to Hart. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Each team is gunning for the CIF Southern Section playoffs, but on this warm night the Indians made more big plays than the Bulldogs, who last met Hart in 2005.

Burbank (1-2) started strong and led 14-0 in the first quarter as sophomore wide receiver Brandon Pena raced 95 yards on the initial kickoff to make it 7-0.

Burbank’s lead became 14-0 with 4:38 left as senior quarterback Matthew Porras (10 of 24 for 126 yards with three interceptions) and senior running back Chadz Vang (26 yards on three catches) hooked up on an 11-yard scoring pass that made it 14-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, senior wide receiver Michael Colangelo went 97 yards that sliced the lead in half.

Hart’s offense accounted for six touchdowns against Burbank, including Ethan Blair, who had one. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The Indians (2-1) evened it at 14-14 when junior quarterback Zach Johnson, who was playing in only his third varsity game, threw the first of five scoring passes, this time hitting senior wide receiver Jacob Montes (87 yards on six receptions) with a five-yard bullet as 9:12 remained in the second quarter.

From this point, Hart outscored Burbank 35-14 including 14-0 in the fourth period.

“They made the momentum plays. They made critical plays at big moments and we didn’t,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said. “They executed in the big moments and we didn’t. That wins football games.”

The Indians (372 total net yards) then moved ahead 21-14 on a two-yard scurry by senior running back Ethan Blair (106 yards on 24 carries) as 5:07 remained before the half.

The Bulldogs had a tough time running the ball against the Indians. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The teams then exchanged turnovers which led to Burbank tying the contest at 21-21 when Vang located the end zone on a 15-yard scamper and 1:51 left before the break.

“It was a dog fight and that’s what we expected,” Colman said. “We knew we were going to play a really good team. A really well coached team. It was a test for us to get ready for the playoffs. We have to learn from this so when we’re in the playoffs, we have to be ready for it.”

Hart’s opening drive of the second half ended with a seven-yard toss from Johnson (18 of 29 for 252 yards) to Colangelo (46 yards on four catches) as 6:55 remained as the Indians led 28-21.

Matthew Porras ran for 55 yards on 17 carries. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

On Hart’s next series, Johnson capped the drive that began at the Hart 31-yard line with a 34-yard strike to junior wide receiver Drew Munoz and came with 2:24 left that gave the Indians a 35-21 edge.

“They’re a very talented team. They’re very good,” said Hart coach Mike Herrington, who is in his 30th season of the Bulldogs. “We had a hard time containing their quarterback.”

The Bulldogs (213 total yards) came within 35-28 when Porras (55 yards on 17 carries) and senior tight end Duncan Smith (73 yards on three catches) hooked up on a 52-yard play as 58.8 seconds remained in the third.

Hart’s lead became 42-28 with eight minutes on the clock in the fourth as Johnson hit Munoz (96 yards on four receptions) with a 23-yard strike and it became 49-28 with 5:32 left when Johnson found Munoz with a 25-yard toss.

Burbank’s next game is a Pacific League encounter against Hoover at home on Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

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.

Burbank Football Opens Season With 45-12 Rout Over Monrovia

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By Rick Assad

 

No Burbank High football team in its long and proud history has played a game in the middle of August, but on Friday night at Memorial Field, that’s exactly what took place.

The Bulldogs, who won the Pacific League title and reached the CIF Southern Section Division VII semifinals in 2017 and the Division VIII championship game the year before, opened up the new campaign on a high note by taking out Monrovia 45-12 in a nonleague match.

Burbank senior quarterback Matthew Porras was nothing short of spectacular.

Senior quarterback Matthew Porras threw for six touchdowns and five in the first half. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Porras is a dual threat capable of churning out significant yardage on the ground.

Against the Wildcats, Porras threw for 256 yards with six touchdowns and one interception.

Five of the scoring tosses came in the first half as the Bulldogs scurried out to a 32-0 advantage and were never headed.

Monrovia (97 total net yards) came out in the second half and scored on a 90-yard kickoff return by sophomore cornerback/strong safety Adam Perry.

The Wildcats then cut the deficit to 32-12 when junior running back Maury Rams IV (13 yards on seven rushes) scored on an 11-yard burst with 9:05 left in the third period.

“We came out a little flat,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said of the start to the second half. “This is the third year in a row they’ve run a kick back on us. We gotta watch more film. It’s a first game after an eight-month layoff.”

Senior running back Chadz Vang is off and running in the sesaon opener. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Other than that, it was simply all Burbank, which extended its lead to 38-12 when Porras tossed a 19-yard strike to tight end Duncan Smith (four catches for 80 yards) with 5:36 showing, finalizing a nine-play, 73-yard march.

Burbank’s lead became 45-12 when senior offensive lineman Matthew Sanchez recovered the ball in the end zone with 6:22 left in the fourth period after Porras (98 yards on 19 carries) ran to the one-yard line, but fumbled.

The scoring parade started when Porras, who completed 19 of 30 passes, drilled senior running back Chadz Vang (53 yards on three receptions and 51 yards on seven rushes) with a 23-yard toss as 10:02 remained in the first quarter for a 6-0 cushion and capped an 85-yard, six-play march.

The Bulldogs won the battle up front and prevailed over the Wildcats. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“He played incredible,” Colman said of his field general. “That’s what you come to expect from him, being Player of the Year and everything. He’s a competitor. He’s highly intelligent. He understands what we’re trying to do and what the defense is trying to do.”

When Porras found Smith with a 35-yard aerial and 8:18 left in the initial frame, the advantage became 13-0.

After Porras located Vang with a 14-yard bullet and 11:53 left in the second quarter, Burbank’s margin was 20-0 as the Bulldogs (449 total yards) drove 76 yards and used six plays.

Porras then hooked up with senior running back Max Mendiata (41 yards on 12 carries) with an 11-yard pass and 6:18 showing as the Bulldogs pushed ahead 26-0 after moving the ball from the Monrovia 46-yard line while consuming nine plays.

The Bulldogs ended the opening half with a 10-yard offering from Porras to junior wide receiver Ben Burnham (three catches for 51 yards) with 14.4 seconds on the clock as Burbank marched 54 yards over 14 plays.

Senior wide receiver Erik Harutyunyan snared four catches for 30 yards, while junior tight end Seth Jones hauled in four receptions for 34 yards for Burbank, which will travel to Moorpark for a nonleague game next Friday with a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Burbank Girls Volleyball Drops Four-Setter To Chaminade

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By Rick Assad

 

Being mentally prepared and focused are aspects sometimes overlooked in sports when it comes to winning and losing.

On Tuesday afternoon, the host Burbank High girls’ volleyball team seemed to lose its train of thought in the third set which set in motion a 25-20, 22-25, 25-20, 25-17, win by Chaminade in a nonleague match.

“I thought the effort was great,” Burbank coach Karl Rojo said. “Maybe just a lack of focus at the end of sets. Maybe we lost a little effort and focus. Our service errors didn’t help.”

Rojo said that everything should be okay, given that it was the team’s first match and then added: “I think we’re fine. Just the mental effort,” he noted.

In that third game, the Bulldogs led 3-2, but fell behind 10-7 when junior libero Gillian Yee unloaded a service ace.

The Bulldogs passed the ball especially well in the first two sets against visiting Chaminade. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

A kill from Burbank senior outside hitter Amaya Broyls cut the gap to 14-10.

The Bulldogs moved within 16-12 on a winner from junior setter Ashley Eskander (56 assists with nine digs and two service aces).

When Burbank senior middle blocker Olivia Price and Broyls combined on a block it became 16-13 and a kill from Broyls made it 16-14.

“We were really getting good serve receive passes and that really helped Ashley get good sets for our hitters,” said Broyls, who had 13 kills with 15 digs of the first two sets versus the final two sets.

Broyls went on: “We lost some focus,” she pointed out. “We try to move on from our mistakes. We try to stay calm and stay focused.”

Burbank drew within 18-16 on a kill from junior outside hitter Katie Treadway (team-high 14 kills with 16 digs and one ace), but the Eagles (1-1) went on a 7-4 spurt including a spike from senior outside hitter Bryce Van der Valk for the set.

The action was fast and furious. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

“We noticed that they were missing a lot of serves,” Van der Valk said. “It is hard to stay focused when you’re ahead.”

The second set was knotted at 3-3, 4-4 and 5-5 before Burbank (0-1) took command 14-10 on a winner from senior opposite hitter Carmen Camacho-Platas.

It became 19-17 in favor of Burbank on a kill from Broyls, 23-21 on an ace from Camacho-Platas and 25-22 on a service winner from Broyls.

Burbank’s Amaya Broyls is about to pass the ball versus the Eagles. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

The opening set saw the Bulldogs march in front 9-5 on a spike from Broyls, who is the catcher on the softball team.

Again the scoring went back and forth with the Bulldogs eventually pulling ahead 17-14 on a kill from Broyls.

It was even at 18-18 before the Eagles surged ahead 21-18 on a winner from freshman outside hitter Paulina Darby.

Chaminade finally secured the game on an ace from Van der Valk.

“About halfway through the third set I think we were a little bit more disciplined,” Chaminade coach Cory Chandler said of the latter portion of the match. “What I sensed was that we played our game.”

The fourth set was controlled by Chaminade which led 9-4 on junior middle blocker Alexi Whitfield’s kill.

A winner from freshman outside hitter Isabella Martinez made it 12-6 and Van der Valk’s dagger pushed it to 17-10.

Ashley Eskander (#18) and Olivia Price try to block Bryce Van der Valk’s spike. Photo By: Edward Tovmassian

Chaminade, which dropped a five-setter to Calabasas on Monday, pushed ahead 19-11 on a service ace from Van der Valk before Burbank came within 24-16 on a kill from Treadway.

“I really think we started to work better as a team,” Chaminade senior setter Sofie Sullivan said of the last two sets. “You have to get a feel for the team [Burbank].”

“I think the hardest thing to do is keep your spirts up,” Chaminade senior libero Adriana Ferraro said. “Every point counts. Every point matters. I think our seniors are the leaders on the court.”