Burbank share's league title

Burbank's Omar Trancoso (52) congratulates Sam Bethany after he scored on a touchdown pass in the second quarter during a Pacific League game against Burroughs. (Scott Smeltzer/The Leader)

Bulldogs beat Indians, 28-21, to earn share of first league championship in 37 years.
By Jim Riggio, Burbank Leader
Published: Saturday, November 14, 2009

MEMORIAL FIELD — Burbank High football Coach Hector Valencia knew what it was like to win a nail-bitter against cross-town Burroughs as a player. Friday night, Valencia got to experience what it was like to win in the same fashion as a coach.In a battle for the Pacific League crown, his Bulldogs outlasted Burroughs, 28-21, giving each school a share of the league title and Burbank the league’s top spot heading into next week’s CIF Southern Section playoffs.

Burroughs will be the Pacific League’s No. 2 representative.“It was a great experience for me when I won, and this is even better for them because they won something,” Valencia said of his players. “This is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”The win gives Burbank (8-2, 7-1 in league) a share of its first league title in 37 years.“There is a lot of pride in the school. There were a lot of alumni supporting us,” Valencia, a 1993 Burbank graduate said.

“We tried to focus on the game and not the league title.”In Valencia’s senior season in 1992, Burbank rallied to defeat Burroughs, 21-17, in the final minute of the game. The Bulldogs scored the game-winning touchdown with 5:36 to play when Ulisies Ochoa scored on a 1-yard run. Burbank took advantage of a 10-yard Burroughs punt to drive 39 yards in 11 plays for the winner.

“It hurt us when we gave them good field position after the punt,” Burroughs Coach Keith Knoop said.Burroughs (7-3, 7-1) took the early lead as Dalton Williams scored on a 19-yard-run with 6:15 left in the first quarter. Michael Solano added the extra point.Burbank fought back under tough circumstances in the second quarter. Facing a fourth-and-goal situation from the 1-yard line, quarterback Adam Colman, reading it as his only option, threw an option pitch to Sam Bethany, who scored the touchdown. But a missed extra point kept Burroughs in front, 7-6, with 3:29 left in the half.

Colman and Bethany hooked up just seconds before halftime, this time on a five-yard touchdown pass. Colman connected with Jackson Diamond on the two-point conversion to give Burbank a 14-7 halftime lead. Burbank appeared to be in good shape early in the third quarter.But the Bulldogs suffered from a miscue, as a handoff between Leo Rodas and Colman was mishandled. Burroughs’ Justin Mayorga picked up the loose ball and ran 15 yards into the end zone. Solano’s extra point tied the score at 14.

Burbank marched right back down the field, going 75 yards in six plays, capped by Christopher Alcala’s four-yard run with 2:02 left in the period. The extra point was blocked, making it, 20-14. Burroughs’ Dalton Williams didn’t give the Bulldogs much time to celebrate, as he scored on a 79-yard run with 29.9 seconds left in the third quarter. Solano’s extra point put Burroughs up, 21-20.Colman, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound junior, finished 14 of 22 for 168 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Jackson Diamond had 10 receptions for 103 yards. Williams led the Indians with 208 yards rushing.