Burbank football looking to find identity
There are likely those who have lofty expectations for the Burbank High football team this season.
After a 2016 campaign that saw the Bulldogs make history and advance to the CIF Southern Section Division VIII championship game, it’s not surprising that some expect much of the same this season.
However, with the graduation of 24 seniors and a new coach at the helm, the 2017 Bulldogs will look to create their own identity and try to put aside the expectations of others.
“We are so young and new to the varsity level, we are putting a vastly different team on the field this year,” said first-year coach Adam Colman, a 2011 Burbank graduate who served as an assistant under former coach Richard Broussard, who stepped down in December. “Trying to compare this team to last year’s team isn’t even remotely fair.
“The pressure for us is internal, not external. We know externally that people will see what we did last year and probably expect the same from us … but for us, we will have our own set of expectations and we just can’t expect less than what we think we’re capable of.’”
Colman inherits a program that had the most successful season in its 105-year history in 2016. The Bulldogs went 10-4 and 6-1 in the Pacific League, finishing second behind Crescenta Valley.
Burbank enjoyed a historic playoff run, upsetting two top-four seeds in Division VIII to earn a berth in a CIF championship berth for the first time in program history. The Bulldogs lost in the title game to Yorba Linda, 31-21.
Burbank has been moved up to Division VII.
“We are not going to change our goals or expect less, no matter what division we’re in,” Colman, 23, said. “At this point I really don’t know what to expect from this group, that will come as the season progresses.
“Since I don’t know what we’re capable of at this point, I’m going to say we want to win league and win a [CIF] title and all of that stuff.”
Burbank participated a three-way scrimmage Thursday against Saugus, San Fernando and Dorsey. The Bulldogs will open the season Friday with a nonleague game at Monrovia.
“We are a little banged up right now, so hopefully we will be alright when we have our first game,” Colman said.
The Bulldogs lost a number of impact players to graduation, including receiver Forest Fajardo, defensive back Andy Reyes, linebacker Jake Kelley, offensive lineman Matt Villagran and utility Nick Warren, who were All-CIF and All-Area selections.
Also graduating was All-Area quarterback Guy Gibbs.
Stepping up to pilot the Burbank offense at quarterback is junior Matthew Porras (5-foot-11, 185 pounds).
“I feel pretty comfortable right now because everyone is working together and we all are working toward the same goals,” Porras said. “Being a quarterback himself and being the [junior varsity] coach last year, coach Colman has helped me out and I feel comfortable with him.
“For me, I’m just going to do my thing and work as hard as possible to help the team.”
Returning in the backfield will be senior Darnell Williams (5-9, 185), who will move from slot to tailback. Last season, Darnell, brother of Washington State and former Bulldogs running back James Williams, had 101 carries for 528 yards and 11 touchdowns, along with 29 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns. He will be joined by senior Blake Quinteros (5-10, 170) and junior Chadz Vang (5-3, 120).
Two of Burbank’s most prominent returners on offense are receivers: senior Drew Pendleton (6-0, 185) and junior Erik Harutyunyan (6-1, 160).
New to the offensive scheme will be the use of a tight end, with junior Duncan Smith (6-4, 2-15) slated for the position.
Another key returner on offense is All-Area senior lineman Anthony Lira (6-2, 230), who will also play on the defensive line (50 tackles, seven sacks and 18 tackles for a loss). He will be flanked by junior Karo Koshkaryan (6-2, 215) and sophomore Armando De la Cruz (5-9, 180), Esper Alsayegh (5-10, 180) and David Fleetwood (6-5, 215). Matthew Sanchez (5-11, 205) could also see time on the line.
Returning to do the kicking is senior Andrew Rovira (5-7, 165), who made 52 of 59 point-after tries and six of 10 field-goal attempts.
Along with Lira, Koshkaryan will also be on the defensive line, as well as Smith.
At linebacker will be Pendleton, Quinteros and sophomore Ali Maaz (5-8, 160), while Harutyunyan, seniors Kaydon Spens (6-3, 190), Christian Fajardo (5-10, 190), Louie Torres (6-0, 157) and Armen Gurdzhyan (5-11, 150) will patrol the secondary.
Porras and Rovira are battling for the punting spot.
“We have come a long way from where we were in the spring and even where we were when we started camp,” Harutyunyan said. “I think our team is coming together and we’re all working hard.
“I think if we keep working hard and we keep improving we’ll be right up there and hopefully be in the running for a league championship.”
The Bulldogs will look to capture the program’s first crown since 2009, when they shared the championship with cross-town rival Burroughs.
“CV should be seen as the team to beat in league because they return a lot of players,” Colman said. “They are also very well-coached and you won’t catch them sleeping.
“But also I think Muir’s going to be pretty good, Arcadia is going to be very good and Burroughs is not going to have two bad years in a row. So, I think among the top five or so teams, it’s going to be a battle.”
Twitter: @jefftsports
