Burbank loses thriller in OT

Burbank loses thriller in OT

FOOTBALL: Bulldogs challenge Chaminade and lose nonleague game in California tie-breaker, 17-14, on the road.

By Jim Riggio, Burbank Leader
Published: September 12, 2009

WEST HILLS — Burbank High’s defense was not perfect. Then again, one can’t ask for much more after it forced host Chaminade into committing six turnovers, five of which were in the red zone.The Bulldogs stayed with the Eagles for more than 48 minutes, and when it was all said and done, Chaminade had to resort to its field-goal kicker to propel it to a 17-14 nonleague victory in a California tie-breaker.“They had to work hard to get in the end zone,” first-year Burbank Coach Hector Valencia said of Chaminade.

Burbank senior Jackson Diamond finished with three interceptions and one fumble recovery. The three interceptions ties him for second on the all-time list, as he shares the spot with Carlos Baker, who had three in 1992 against Bell-Jeff, when the future UNLV star was one of Valencia’s teammates.“He’s one of our team captains and he’s very consistent,” Valencia said of Diamond. “He does what he’s supposed to do.”Burbank (1-1) opened the scoring when junior quarterback Adam Colman hit Sam Bethany on a four-yard touchdown reception with 4:26 left in the first half.Chaminade (1-0) used the clock well at the end of the first half, driving 50 yards in less than a minute, capped by a five-yard scoring run from Tru Jarvis. Jarvis ran in the two-point conversion to give the Eagles an 8-7 halftime lead.

Neither team scored in the third period. Chaminade appeared to be pulling away before Jarvis fumbled at the one-yard line. However, offensive lineman Stephen Ray recovered in the end zone for Chaminade.The Eagles attempted a two-point conversion, but failed, giving Burbank hope, 14-7. The Bulldogs came out determined and marched down the field quickly, capped by a one-yard run by Ulisies Ochoa with 4:08 left. Anthony Cervantes added the extra point to tie the score.

Chaminade, which was playing in its first game under Coach Ed Croson — who won four Los Angeles City Section titles in nine seasons with Birmingham — had a chance to pull ahead with 1:22 left. However, kicker Matt Goudis’ 28-yard field goal attempt went wide left.With just 1:17 left in the game, Burbank elected not to run out the clock. After three incomplete passes by Colman, Chaminade had yet another crack with a minute remaining. The Eagles nearly capitalized. But Jarvis fumbled at the Burbank 18-yard-line and Diamond recovered with 27 seconds left. Burbank ran a few plays before the clock ran out in regulation.

In the California tie-breaker overtime period, both teams got the ball at the 25-yard line to begin their series. Burbank’s defense once again stopped Chaminade, forcing Goudis to kick a 35-yard field goal. Needing to equal or better Chaminade’s effort, Burbank was stopped on third down, as Jarvis intercepted Burbank’s Colman to end the game.“All we can do is learn from this,” Valencia said. “I’d rather lose than walk out with a tie. I let the kids go out and battle.”