Photo Gallery: Burbank football final preparations for season opener against Monrovia

Andy Reyes, of the Burbank High School Football team, leads the team in stretches before they season opener at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Aug. 28, 2015 10:26 PM PT

Behind a bruising ground game and a relentless defense, the Burbank High football team made quite a statement in its season opener Friday evening. The Bulldogs recovered from an early hiccup to steamroll eight-time reigning Rio Hondo League champion Monrovia, 38-20, in a contest that wasn’t nearly as close as the score indicated.

Photo Gallery: Burbank football final preparations for season opener against Monrovia

Burbank’s head coach Richard Broussard receives 3 pieces of blue chewing gum and comments to himself, “Five years in a row, blue gum,” as the team was preparing for their season opener against Monrovia at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Burbank’s head football coach Richard Broussard goes from player to player to give a final word before the team’s season opener against Monrovia at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

As the sun sets, Burbank’s Darnell Williams leaves the sidelines for final preparations before the team’s season opener against Monrovia at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Burbank’s Nick Meier takes a moment to himself on the sidelines before running onto the field during final preparations before his team’s season opener against Monrovia at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Burbank’s Max Weisman walks alone to look at the entire Monrovia football team moments before the kickoff for the season opener at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Standing with his teammates moments before the opening kickoff against Monrovia for the first game of the year, Burbank defensive lineman Daniel Amaya looks in the direction of the photographer at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Off the field and out of sight of nearly everyone, the Burbank High School football team takes a moment to focus together as a team before walking together onto the field for their season opening game against Monrovia at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Burbank head coach Richard Broussard, with his players linked arm-and-arm, leads them onto the field for their season opening game against Monrovia at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

Burbank’s Max Wiesman (4) with the rest of his team, look downfield at the Monrovia football team as they mentally prepare for their season opener at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

The head referee flips a coin at center field between the captains for the Monrovia Wildcats and Burbank Bulldogs for their season opener at Monrovia High School on Friday, August 28, 2015. Monrovia won the coin toss and elected to kick off. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

A summer of preparation has just been completed as the Burbank Bulldog football team turns to the sideline after a final team huddle and runs together for the start of the game at Monrovia High School for the season opener on Friday, August 28, 2015. Burbank won the game 38-20 and start the season 1-0. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)