Big lead propels Burbank football to upset of Crescenta Valley
GLENDALE – A stellar first half and grit over the final two quarters delivered the Burbank High football team one of its biggest Pacific League victories in years.
The unranked Division VII Bulldogs led by 27 points at halftime and marched to an impressive 37-20 victory over Division VI No. 2-ranked host Crescenta Valley on Friday evening at Moyse Field in a battle of the league’s final two unbeaten squads.
The win does many things for Burbank, including improving the team’s record to 6-2 and 5-0 in league, while putting the Bulldogs in the driver’s seat with two league games left for the program’s first league crown since 2009.
The triumph over reigning league champion Crescenta Valley (7-1, 4-1) also snapped the Falcons’ 12-game league winning streak and 15-game regular-season unbeaten streak. Since 2014, Crescenta Valley has posted a 23-3 league record, with two defeats versus Burbank at Moyse.
“It’s a good matchup [against Crescenta Valley] going back to when I played 10 years ago; I think it’s 5-5,” Burbank first-year coach Adam Colman said. “It’s always a good game and our kids come fired up for it. We know each other so well being league rivals. It’s a chess match. It’s fun.”
Burbank dominated the first half to take a 27-0 advantage into halftime.
Crescenta Valley rallied behind touchdown runs from quarterback Cole Doyle of two and 60 yards to pull within 27-14 with seven seconds left in the third quarter.
In between the scores, the Falcons registered two takeaways on a Chase Center interception and a fumble recovery from Center off a strip sack of Burbank quarterback Matthew Porras by linebacker Jaedin Springfield.
Burbank answered with a 28-yard field goal from Andrew Rovira to go up, 30-14, with 7:56 left in the game.
Doyle countered with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Austin Novak with 5:21 remaining. However, Crescenta Valley’s momentum was stunted on a failed two-point conversion try, leaving the score at 30-20.
Burbank quashed further drama when Porras connected on a three-yard touchdown to Blake Quinteros with 2:35 left that put the visitors ahead, 37-20, and iced the game.
Porras completed 17 of 23 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns with one interception, while carrying 20 times for 36 yards (lost 34 yards via three sacks).
“This didn’t surprise us at all,” Porras said. “We knew our game plan and we knew what they were going to do. We just had to play our game and we knew we’d be successful.”
Porras’ top target was senior receiver Drew Pendleton, who caught eight passes for 149 yards.
Burbank’s defense was a huge factor in the victory as defensive back Louie Torres picked off two passes, while the Bulldogs’ front seven harassed Doyle all game.
Burbank defensive end Anthony Lira finished with four hurries, three batted balls and two deflections.
Senior running back Darnell Williams punched in Burbank’s first three touchdowns on runs of three, one and three yards to finish with 47 yards on 19 carries with three touchdowns.
Porras hit Duncan Smith on a four-yard touchdown pass with 11 seconds left that sent Burbank into the half ahead, 27-0.
Doyle completed 10 of 30 passes for 144 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions. The quarterback rushed 12 times for 107 yards and two scores.
“At the beginning of the game we came out prepared, but Burbank just out-physicaled us,” Crescenta Valley coach Paul Schilling said. “We just couldn’t get it going. In the second half, we moved the ball, but when you’re down 27-0, it’s tough to come back.”
