Dogs claw their way back

Dogs claw their way back

By Edgar Melik-Stepanyan, Burbank Leader
Published: November 20, 2009

MEMORIAL FIELD — They didn’t complete a pass in the second half, and still won. They committed a season-high 18 penalties for 178 yards, and still figured a way to erase a 14-point deficit and advance to the second round. The members of the Burbank High football team experienced a wacky night Friday Despite their deficiencies, the Bulldogs still had Ulises Ochoa at running back, and a tough group on defense. Burbank relied on Ochoa’s game-high 137 rushing yards — 22 of which came on a game-winning run — and its defense to come from behind to defeat Alhambra, 21-14, in a CIF Southern Section Southeast Division first-round game at Memorial Field.

The Bulldogs (9-2) will play host California — a 55-27 winner against Rowland — in a quarterfinal game Friday at 7:30 p.m. In 2008, the Bulldogs advanced to the quarterfinals and won their first playoff game in 81 years. They barely got their second playoff victory in 82 years.Burbank — which shared the Pacific League title with Burroughs, but was the league’s top seed — trailed, 14-0, in the second quarter, and its offense was stagnant, gaining 60 yards in the first quarter.“We couldn’t get our focus,” Burbank Coach Hector Valencia said. “Everyone got distracted.”

They became focused in the second quarter. Leo Rodas’ one-yard touchdown run cut Alhambra’s lead in half with 6:14 to play, as Burbank began its comeback. On its next possession, Burbank’s Anthony Cervantes capped an 11-play, 72-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown reception from Adam Colman to tie the score.“We didn’t give up,” Valencia said. “We had been down before. It was a matter of time before we got our game going. They weren’t beating us. We were beating ourselves.

”The Bulldogs also didn’t give Alhambra wide receiver Mitchell Crockom a chance to beat them in the second half. Crockom had five receptions and a touchdown in the first half, as Burbank played man-to-man defense with little safety help. In the second half, Ochoa began to shade to Crockom’s side, and the senior had only three catches for 21 yards. The rest of Crockom’s teammates managed just 15 yards, as Alhambra (6-4) had just 36 yards of total offense in the second half.

The second half was when Ochoa dominated, as he had 10 carries for 72 yards and had a punt return for a touchdown that was called back because of a penalty.“Ochoa played a phenomenal game,” said Valencia, who also received a 76-yard rushing performance from Rodas and 62 rushing yards from Christopher Alcala, as Burbank totaled 282 yards on the ground and 75 through the air. “When he touched the ball, he did his thing. We’re lucky to have him on our side.”

Ochoa was pleased that his team advanced, but not thrilled about its performance.“I’m glad we won, but not satisfied at all,” the junior said. “You’re not going to survive too many playoff games shooting yourself in the foot like that.”