Football previews: Burbank vs. Pasadena; Burroughs vs. Crescenta Valley
BURBANK VS. PASADENA
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Memorial Field (Burroughs High)
RECORDS: Burbank is 4-0, 1-0 in the Pacific League; Pasadena is 0-4, 0-1
LAST WEEK: Burbank defeated Arcadia, 54-14; Pasadena lost to Crescenta Valley, 43-18.
OUTLOOK: It was an emphatic opening to Pacific League play last week for Burbank, which completely outplayed the Apaches in a lopsided victory. With a win against a team that made the CIF Southern Section playoffs last season, the Bulldogs look serious in their quest to capture a league championship. Although Burbank features a high-powered offense that can pass and run the ball with equal efficiency, the Bulldogs’ defense can’t be overlooked. Burbank is head and shoulders above the other teams in league when it comes to points allowed, as the Bulldogs surrender a paltry 11.7 points a game. Burbank is also tops in league in points scored, tallying 199 in four games and is averaging just a hair under 50 points a contest. Pacing the offense has been junior running back James Williams. The All-CIF Southern Section back has 38 carries for 359 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. Pasadena is a program that is struggling for the second straight season. Pasadena has suffered losses against La Salle, Cathedral, Salesian and the Falcons. Pasadena didn’t make the postseason a year ago after finishing the season 1-9, and 1-6 in the Pacific League. If Burbank comes out victorious, that could set up a potential battle for the league championship the next week when the Bulldogs square off against defending champion Muir on Oct. 18.
SOMETHING INTERESTING: Burbank quarterback Ryan Meredith had passed for nine touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception.
BURROUGHS VS. CRESCENTA VALLEY
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Memorial Field (Burroughs High)
RECORDS: The Indians are 2-2, 1-0 in the Pacific League; the Falcons are 4-0, 1-0.
LAST WEEK: Burroughs defeated Glendale, 35-14; Crescenta Valley defeated Pasadena, 43-18.
OUTLOOK: Prior to the game, this year’s inductees to the Burroughs High Athletic Hall of Fame will be honored in a ceremony on the field. This year’s inductees include Kim Farrell, Mickey McNamee, Suzy Babko and the 1981 Burroughs football team, which advanced to a CIF Southern Section Championship game. In addition, former soccer All-American Roberto Perez will have his jersey retired. Burroughs didn’t exactly have a walk-over in winning last week’s Pacific League opener against the Nitros. The Indians will likely have their hands full against the Falcons, one of just two undefeated league teams (Burbank is the other). The Indians’ offensive has developed a fine pass-catch combination in senior quarterback Andrew Williams and senior wide receiver Conor Joyce. Last week against Glendale, the duo hooked up for four touchdowns. Burroughs will take on a Falcons team that is making noise and which has to be considered one of the front runners for the Pacific League crown. Crescenta Valley comes into the game with victories against Verdugo Hills, San Marino, La Cañada and Pasadena. The team easily rolled to a win last week against Pasadena.
SOMETHING INTERESTING: While the Burroughs offense averages just 23 points a game, the Crescenta Valley offense averages 49 a contest — second only to Burbank.
Jeff Tully