Burbank Wins Overtime Thriller

What a game on Friday night against Muir. I got more gray hairs than I already have. When Burbank made the 2 point conversion in the double overtime, everyone went crazy! Everyone was on their feet praying and keeping their fingers crossed and some couldn't watch as it was so nerve racking. But Burbank beleived they could do it and they did! WAY TO GO BULLDOGS!

Bulldogs opt to go for two points in second extra period and convert for a 29-28 win against league-champion Muir.

By Jeff Tully, Burbank Leader
Published: Saturday, October 10, 2009

MEMORIAL FIELD — When his Burbank High football team scored a touchdown in the second overtime to pull to within one point of defending Pacific League champion Muir, Bulldogs’ Coach Hector Valencia decided his team had had enough. With his squad exhausted from playing an entire game and two additional periods, Valencia scrapped the idea of kicking the extra point to tie the game.The coach wanted the win. Instead, he had his Bulldogs line up for a two-point conversion attempt. The team didn’t let their coach down, as quarterback Adam Colman connected with Ulises Ochoa on the two-point try, lifting Burbank to a 29-28 win against the Mustangs Friday night at Memorial Field.

With a 42-14 win last week against Crescenta Valley, Burbank (4-1, 2-0 in league) has beaten last year’s league runner-up and champion in consecutive weeks.“This is a very important win for our program,” said Valencia, who is in his first year. “This puts us up there in contention for a league championship, and that has been our goal all season.

”Valencia said he thought hard about going for the two-point conversion against Muir (0-5, 0-2) in the second overtime.“The kids had been through so much at that point,” he said. “And when you get to the third [overtime], it gets even harder.“I thought we were moving the ball pretty well on our last drive when we scored. So, I thought we would have a good chance.”On the winning play, Colman took the snap and was instantly met by a Mustangs defender who broke through the middle of the line. Under pressure, Colman backpedaled and fired the ball off of his back foot. The ball headed toward Ochoa, who caught the offering against his chest and cradled the ball as he fell to the turf.

“I saw the defender coming hot, and I knew I had to make a decision quick,” Colman said. “I saw [Ochoa] at the last second and threw it to him.”The Bulldogs were able to fight back after suffering through a dismal first quarter. Although the Burbank defense allowed just seven Muir points through the first two quarters, its offense could manage just 53 yards. The Bulldogs also struggled early second half and trailed, 21-7, after Ochoa scored on a nine-yard run in the second quarter. Colman scored a four-yard touchdown run and hit Sam Bethany on a nine-yard tally to even the score at 21. After Muir scored in the second overtime, Bethany found the end zone on a two-yard run to get the hosts to within one. Ochoa carried the ball 15 times and racked up 169 yards.“The guys really deserved this one,” Valencia said. “They worked hard for the win.”