Burbank High football limps to first loss of season against Canyon

CANYON COUNTRY — The post-James Williams era began Friday night for the Burbank High football team.

Williams, a senior All-CIF running back who received the results earlier this week that the knee injury he suffered two weeks ago would sideline him for the rest of the season, could only watch as his Bulldogs took on Canyon Country Canyon in a nonleague game.

Without Williams, who also played defensive back, Burbank sputtered on offense and its defense surrendered its shares of big plays. As a result, the Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season in a 35-21 defeat against Canyon.

Burbank, ranked No. 6 in the CIF Southern Section Southeast Division, slipped to 2-1 with the loss.

“We have to realize that this team is not just about one player,” said senior running back Tony Toledo, who got the majority of the carries with Williams out. “We have to be able to step it up and make up for it on offense. I know we can do it, we just have to want it.”

Toledo rushed for 76 yards in 15 carries and scored one touchdown.

Friday’s game marked the return of Burbank quarterback Ryan Meredith, who suffered an ankle injury three weeks ago in the team’s season opener. Meredith struggled at times, as the Bulldogs offense tried to maintain a rhythm. Burbank won its previous game against Ayala on Sept. 5 with Meredith on the sidelines and largely without Williams, who was injured on the first play of the game.

The senior ended the night 19 for 27 for 169 yards, one interception and no passing touchdowns. He had 80 yards passing in the first half.

“We did have some problems on offense,” Burbank first-year Coach Richard Broussard said. “A lot of people counted us out in this game and gave us no chance. But I’m proud of the way our guys played.

“We had a lot of guys in different positions and we had some guys go down with injuries. But they were out there battling the whole way.”

While its offense was trying to click, Burbank’s defense – which gave up an average of 14 points in its first two games – was struggling to contain Canyon (2-2). The Bulldogs gave up some big plays that led to Cowboys touchdowns.

The Canyon offense was led by Myron McAfee, who carried the ball 19 times for 172 yards and three touchdowns.

The Cowboys set the tone early in the game when they scored on a 53-yard passing play on the third play from scrimmage.

However, the Bulldogs battled back to tie the score at 7 on a one-yard keeper up the middle by Meredith.

Burbank would then take its only lead of the night, 14-7, when Brandon Alba scored on a four-yard sweep left with 8:08 remaining in the second quarter.

Canyon came back to score and the teams went into halftime tied at 14.

“This is the most hyped for a game I’ve ever seen our guys,” Broussard said. “We were really excited about this game. But when it came down to it we just didn’t make enough plays.”

The Cowboys came out of halftime and dominated in the third quarter and into the fourth. They were able to tally three straight touchdowns to jump to a 35-14 advantage with 6:29 remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs scored their final touchdown when Toledo found the end zone on a one-yard run with 3:31 left.

“We have a long season ahead of us and there are things that we need to clean up, of course,” Broussard said. “But I’m proud of this team right now.”

The Bulldogs open Pacific League competition next Friday against host Pasadena.