SGVN/Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz)
From the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper:BURBANK - Pasadena High School quarterback Aaron Simpson connected on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Wells with 10.8 seconds left in the game to help the Bulldogs pull off a stunning 45-41 upset over Burbank on Thursday night in Pacific League action at Burroughs High.
Pasadena (5-4, 4-2) clinched a spot in the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division playoffs while also knocking rival Muir out of playoff contention.
Burbank (7-2, 5-1) had one final chance with 1.7 seconds left and attempted five laterals before several flags were thrown, including one for a forward pass. That ended the game and sent the Pasadena crowd into a frenzy.
The Bulldogs were back at their own 32 with 1:20 remaining. Simpson, faced with fourth and 2 at his own 40, found an Eugene Tripling for a 15-yard gain and a first down.
On the next play, without any hesitation and his eyes focused on the end zone, Simpson threw a pass to Wells, who had three Burbank defenders on him. Wells caught the pass, prompting the Bulldogs players, coaches and administrators to rush the field.
Pasadena turned to the Muir football players watching from the visitors stands and yelled, "You're next." The Bulldogs were assessed with an unsportsmanlike penalty, but the damage was done.
Burbank's loss put a damper on next week's showdown against rival Burroughs (6-2, 5-0), which also had players at the game.
The final two minutes of each half were interesting, to say the least.
With less than two minutes left in the second quarter, Burbank's Ulises Ochoa returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown to even the game at 23. But there was a flag thrown on Burbank's sideline, and many thought it was going to be called back for a holding. The flag, however, was picked up by a Burbank bystander. He pocketed the flag and walked over and gave it to the sideline official who threw it.
Pasadena coach Mike McFarland, athletic director Tony Brooks and Pasadena principal Derek Evens marched onto the field for an explanation.
At halftime, the head official indicated the flag was a sidelines warning on Burbank.
Pasadena's Charles Hendricks scored two touchdowns on runs of 18 and 13 yards, and Nick Escoe added two, including 65-yard kickoff return.
The Bulldogs were shut out in the third quarter and trailed 41-30 before mounting the unprecedented comeback in the fourth. Hendricks' 10-yard score with 5:55 left pulled the Bulldogs to within 41-38.
"This by far is the most unbelievable game and finish I've ever been a part of," McFarland said. "I can't say enough about our kids and how resilient they are. I don't know what to say. I'm at a loss right now."
Pasadena (5-4, 4-2) clinched a spot in the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division playoffs while also knocking rival Muir out of playoff contention.
Burbank (7-2, 5-1) had one final chance with 1.7 seconds left and attempted five laterals before several flags were thrown, including one for a forward pass. That ended the game and sent the Pasadena crowd into a frenzy.
The Bulldogs were back at their own 32 with 1:20 remaining. Simpson, faced with fourth and 2 at his own 40, found an Eugene Tripling for a 15-yard gain and a first down.
On the next play, without any hesitation and his eyes focused on the end zone, Simpson threw a pass to Wells, who had three Burbank defenders on him. Wells caught the pass, prompting the Bulldogs players, coaches and administrators to rush the field.
Pasadena turned to the Muir football players watching from the visitors stands and yelled, "You're next." The Bulldogs were assessed with an unsportsmanlike penalty, but the damage was done.
Burbank's loss put a damper on next week's showdown against rival Burroughs (6-2, 5-0), which also had players at the game.
The final two minutes of each half were interesting, to say the least.
With less than two minutes left in the second quarter, Burbank's Ulises Ochoa returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown to even the game at 23. But there was a flag thrown on Burbank's sideline, and many thought it was going to be called back for a holding. The flag, however, was picked up by a Burbank bystander. He pocketed the flag and walked over and gave it to the sideline official who threw it.
Pasadena coach Mike McFarland, athletic director Tony Brooks and Pasadena principal Derek Evens marched onto the field for an explanation.
At halftime, the head official indicated the flag was a sidelines warning on Burbank.
Pasadena's Charles Hendricks scored two touchdowns on runs of 18 and 13 yards, and Nick Escoe added two, including 65-yard kickoff return.
The Bulldogs were shut out in the third quarter and trailed 41-30 before mounting the unprecedented comeback in the fourth. Hendricks' 10-yard score with 5:55 left pulled the Bulldogs to within 41-38.
"This by far is the most unbelievable game and finish I've ever been a part of," McFarland said. "I can't say enough about our kids and how resilient they are. I don't know what to say. I'm at a loss right now."
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