Burbank football overwhelmed with support for CIF championship berth

YORBA LINDA — Burbank High’s football team received an overwhelming show of support, the likes of which many in the Media City have never witnessed before.

Kind words, caring gestures and plenty of attention helped motivate a group of athletes that was on a quest to make history.

When the Bulldogs stormed their way to a first-ever CIF Southern Section championship berth, the outpouring of support began coming at the team in waves. With tremendous backing from within Burbank High, to encouragement from cross-town rival Burroughs to well-wishes from outside the community, the Bulldogs reaped their share of praise.

Unfortunately for Burbank, it fell short of its goal of winning the first CIF football title in program and city history when it fell to host Yorba Linda on Friday in the Division VIII final, 31-21.

In the week leading up to the historic game, social media was abuzz with posts supporting Burbank’s quest for a CIF title. Tweets from opposing coaches, to rival teams to players outside Burbank High came across.

From former Burroughs High Coach Keith Knoop, a Burbank High graduate: “From an old Bulldog and one of the original black shirts from 1980, take care of business tonight. Leave no doubt and do what you do, WIN!”

From Bellarmine-Jefferson High: “The Bell-Jeff football staff would like to wish the Burbank football coaches good luck in the title game. Go Burbank!”

From John Muir Middle School: “Many of the Burbank [High School] football players came up through John Muir Middle School. Good luck [two] all of you! We are so proud of you!”

“The other morning I was warming up my car and I was checking my phone from the night before, because I went to bed a little early,” Burbank Coach Richard Broussard said. “I was checking my Twitter and I saw all these messages of support and people wishing us well and saying they were proud of us. It really brought a tear to my eye.

“This is an amazing community to be a part of and the love that was given us was just amazing. It was very special to see the outpouring from really everywhere.”

The city stepped up to embrace the Bulldogs in a variety of different ways. There were lawn signs and signs in some businesses, and even a shout-out on a message board outside a local church, all pledging support for the team. Burbank also received an escort from the Burbank Police Dept. from the school to the freeway for its trip to Yorba Linda.

One of the most unlikely forms of support helped fulfill a need for Burbank. In perhaps the biggest sporting event in school history, the Burbank band was unavailable to attend the championship game because it was hosting a holiday concert at the school Friday evening.

Figuring there was no way a team should be playing in a contest of this magnetite without a band, Burbank Principal Michael Bertram sprung into action. He contacted Burroughs to see if its band might be available to play at Friday’s game. Burroughs agreed, three buses and more than 100 Indians band members made the trip. There was just one stipulation; the band members were asked not to wear their traditional red uniforms and instead dress in blue, black or a neutral color, as red is the color of Yorba Linda.

“The kids were really eager to play here tonight,” Burroughs band director Taylor Arakelian said. “It was really for us to show solidarity between both programs. … We are just glad to be here and help out and show pride for Burbank Unified.”

Bertram also made rooter buses and admission to the game free to any student who wanted to support the team.

“The outpouring of emails and posts I have gotten and I’ve seen this week has just been overwhelming,” Bertram said. “The support from the community, and really from a lot of places, has really been amazing. The city has really rallied around this team and it’s been great to see.

“It is just an incredible accomplishment for this team and this group of guys and we are all very proud of them.”

The Burbank players were also appreciative of the support and well-wishes.

“The support that we have gotten is really overwhelming,” senior quarterback Guy Gibbs said. “It was really cool to see how many people supported us and how many people were pulling for us.”

Said senior running back/defensive back Nick Warren: “I just wish we could have won it all for all of those people who were behind us.”