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Burbank football makes itself at home in league win against Hoover

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BURBANK — It was a rare home game for the Burbank High football team when it took on Hoover Friday evening to open Pacific League play.

The Bulldogs, who usually play their games at Burroughs’ Memorial Field, hosted a contest on campus for only the third time in 70 years.

The Tornadoes were looking to dampen that homecoming, and start off league with a victory.

Burbank wasted little time in jumping ahead in its home digs, jumping out to an early lead and coasting to a 44-26 victory.

Max Mendieta ran for three touchdowns to lead Burbank in the victory.

Burbank (2-2) scored early and often as they built a 30-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Mendieta carried nine times for 142 yards and scored on runs of (1, 1, 57) yards.

Matthew Porras completed seven out of 10 passes for 109 yards and three touchdowns. Porras connected on touchdown passes of 30 and 24 yards to Erik Harutyunyan in the second quarter. Harutyunyan caught four passes for 75 yards.

The Burbank defense recorded four sacks, a safety in the first quarter, a fumble recovery by Armando De la Cruz who also sacked Hoover quarterback Mattis Richards. Vincent Vang intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter.

The game was marred by penalties. Burbank had 18 penalties for 204 yards and Hoover was assessed 14 penalties for 104 yards. After the game ended their were harsh words and shoving in the handshake lines by both sides.

“I thought we kept our composure for the most part. We started out strong and showed a lot of heart,” Burbank Coach Adam Colman said. “We have a big game against Arcadia and we knew Hoover is trying build and would give us a tough game.”

Mattis Richards led Hoover (1-3) in the air completing 20 of 30 passes for 155 yrads and three touchdowns. He connected on a nine-yard touchdown pass to James Chang in the second quarter.

Jaiden Forster carried 10 times for 30 yards and scored on a 15 yard touchdown run in the second quarter for the Tornadoes.

Hoover held Burbank scoreless in the second half as it closed to within 44-26 early in the fourth quarter. Burbank pulled its starters late in the second quarter after building a huge lead.

jeffrey.tully@latimes.com

Twitter: @jefftsports

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