Burroughs football shows improvement in loss to Canyon

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Burroughs’ quarterback Nathan Piper, after tossing the ball to a teammate, gets open on the opposite side and makes a catch for a first down against Canyon in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Luke Rogers leaves his feet as he is hit and tackled by Canyon’s Nathaniel Valdes in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Teammates jump and celebrate a touchdown scored by teammate and quarterback Burroughs’ Nathan Piper in the second quarter against Canyon in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ head coach Rand Holdren goes over plays with quarterback Nathan Piper before returning to the offense against Canyon in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Aiden Forrester carries the ball on a kickoff return against Canyon in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ quarterback Nathan Piper makes a pass in the first quarter against Canyon in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Luke Rogers is brought down by Canyon’s Nathaniel Valdes and Jacob Lopez after a hard fought run and a first down in the first quarter in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ quarterback Nathan Piper makes a throw against Canyon in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Nathan Turner, who had watched the ball in flight for the entire pass, reaches out and knocks the ball from Canyon’s Andrew Romero but is called for interference in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Jacob Mcclure keeps his hands up and keeps Canyon’s Carson Strickland from catching the ball in the end zone in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Alex Deptula blocks the Canyon extra point in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Luke Rogers cuts inside with Canyon’s Darrin Warren in front of him in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ quarterback Nathan Piper, on the ground to the right, has the ball and has scored a touchdown against Canyon in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Burroughs’ Andrew English makes a catch and runs with Canyon’s Nathaniel Valdes defending in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

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Canyon’s Freddy Estrada gets to Burroughs’ quarterback Nathan Piper for a sack on Burroughs’ first possession of the game in a non-league football game at Memorial Stadium in Burbank on Friday, August 31, 2018. The halftime score was 29-7 in favor of Canyon. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

By Steve Goldstein

Aug. 31, 2018 10:55 PM PT

BURBANK — It was a definite improvement for the Burroughs High football team.

After being shutout in their first game of the season last week, the Indians showed some life on offense Friday night.

However, Canyon Country Canyon used a big-play offense to roll past host Burroughs, 50-21, in a nonleague game at Memorial Field.

Burroughs (0-2), which lost to West Ranch, 54-0, last week, fell behind, 15-0, midway through the second quarter.

Nathan Piper scored on one-yard quarterback sneak to cut the deficit to 15-7 and score the first touchdown of the season for the Indians.

Piper completed 12 of 24 passes for 79 yards. Luke Rogers led the Indians ground attack with 52 yards in 18 carries.

Aiden Forrester came on in the fourth quarter to provide a spark for Burroughs. Forrester returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown. After a quick-strike touchdown by the Cowboys, Forrester responded by returning the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown.

“I felt like I did pretty decent running the ball and improved from last week,” Rogers said. “The line did a great job. This is a team game and we’re looking to be a little hotter next week.”

After falling behind, 29-7, at halftime the Burroughs defense stiffened in the second half, holding Canyon scoreless in the third quarter. The Indians recovered two fumbles to thwart the Cowboy offense.

Canyon was led by quarterback Aydyn Litz, who threw for 248 yards and four touchdowns on 13-of-23 passsing. Litz also ran for a touchdown.

The Cowboys controlled things on the ground behind Jake Aquaviva who gained 128 yards in 17 carries with one touchdown. Ryan Valdes chipped in with 68 yards in 13 carries.

Canyon scored on its second play from scrimmage on a 50-yard double pass trick play, as Aidan Corcoran caught a pass from wing back Shawn Gallagher.

With 2:50 left in the fourth quarter and Canyon leading, 43-14, the lights went out for 35 minutes before the game could resume.

“Compared to last week this was a huge step forward. It’s been tough playing two Foothill League teams, but our kids foght all the way through,” Burroughs first-year coach Rand Holdren said.

“Our guys are focused and acting like a team. Their effort is great and we can take a lot away from this.”

jeffrey.tully@latimes.com

Twitter: @jefftsports