Weekly Football Previews: Burbank at Crescenta Valley; Muir at Burroughs
BURBANK AT CRESCENTA VALLEY
•WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
•WHERE: Glendale High
•RECORDS: The Bulldogs are 5-2, 4-0 in the Pacific League; the Falcons are 7-0, 4-0
•LAST WEEK: Burbank defeated Pasadena 42-0; Crescenta Valley defeated Burroughs, 38-14
•OUTLOOK: This is a game that has created a great deal of anticipation for both sides. The Bulldogs and Falcons are the only remaining undefeated teams in the Pacific League and many believe this contest will determine the league championship. The matchup is shaping up to be a battle of Burbank’s defense versus Crescenta Valley’s offense. With their shutout of Pasadena, the Bulldogs have the toughest defense among league teams, yielding just 12.1 points a game and just four in league. The Falcons counter with the league’s most potent offense, averaging 42.4 points a contest. Behind junior quarterback Matthew Porras (19 of 23 passing for 268 yards and four touchdowns against Pasadena) and senior receiver Drew Pendleton (five catches for 162 yards and three touchdowns) Burbank can also move the ball on offense.
•SOMETHING INTERESTING: Crescenta Valley, the 2016 league champion, has a 12-game league winning streak dating back to 2015.
MUIR AT BURROUGHS
•WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
•WHERE: Memorial Field (Burroughs High)
•RECORDS: The Indians are 3-3, 2-2 in the Pacific League; the Mustangs are 4-3, 2-2
•LAST WEEK: Burroughs lost to Crescenta Valley, 38-14: Muir defeated Glendale, 55-0
•OUTLOOK: With three games remaining in the regular season, the Indians and Mustangs are tied for fourth place in the Pacific League. Burroughs is looking to get back to the CIF Southern Section playoffs after missing out in 2016 following a fifth-place finish. Burroughs sputtered on both sides of the ball in its loss to Crescenta Valley. The Indians were led by senior running back Ben Peters, who had 28 carries for 125 yards. Junior quarterback Nathan Piper threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Cerain Baker and senior running back Hakeem Hickman scored on a one-yard run. While Muir surrenders an average of 13.2 points a game, Burroughs gives up 30.8.
•SOMETHING INTERESTING: The teams are similar in points scored, with the Indians averaging 39 a contest and the Mustangs averaging 33.7.
BELL-JEFF ON BYE WEEK
The Guards (1-5, 1-1 in the Omega League) have a week off before finishing up the regular season with an Omega League contest Oct. 28 against Lighthouse Christian at Burroughs High’s Memorial Field. It will be homecoming for Bell-Jeff. The Guards are coming off a 53-24 league loss against Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Christian. Junior Adrian Machuca had 14 carries for 87 yards and threw a touchdown pass for Bell-Jeff. Senior Ronald Jurok had two touchdowns. Only the champion from the four-team Omega League will get an automatic berth in the playoffs.
Twitter: @jefftsports
