Gerlach continues Burroughs boys’ soccer tradition of All-CIF recipients

The tradition continues.

The machine that is the Burroughs High boys’ soccer program continues to churn out All-CIF Southern Section players.

This season, senior midfielder Brandon Gerlach is the latest Indians recipient, as he was named to the Division III first team when the first-team members from seven divisions were released by the Southern Section Office on Monday.

“It is always nice to see players from our program recognized,” Burroughs veteran Coach Mike Kodama said.

Under Kodama, who finished his third season back with Burroughs after leading the program for 22 years and stepping down after the 2008-09 season, the Indians have garnered 32 All-CIF selections.

Gerlach, a captain for Burroughs and the Pacific League Player of the Year, is making his second appearance on the All-CIF list after earning third-team honors in 2013.

“There have always been good players coming out of the Burroughs program for years,” Gerlach said. “And we have had pretty much the same coaching staff for so many years, so you have to think that they have had a lot to do with all the players getting things like All-CIF.

“It’s just nice to be a part of something like that, and I really enjoyed my years playing for Burroughs. And it’s nice to get that recognition as an All-CIF player.”

This past season for Burroughs, Gerlach played in 22 games, scored five goals and had 10 assists for 20 points. He also came up big in league for the Indians, scoring game-winning goals against Crescenta Valley and Arcadia.

With Gerlach helping lead the way, Burroughs finished 16-4-4 overall and 11-1-2 in the Pacific League and won its second straight league championship.

“That was a big goal of ours, to win the league championship, and I’m proud that we were able to do that,” Gerlach said.

Kodama said it has been a pleasure to coach Gerlach for four years in the program. The coach said the player had the innate ability to make things happen when he had the ball.

“The last two years, he played the role as playmaker and finisher for us,” said Kodama, who has guided Burroughs to nine league titles. “He is just one of those players when he gets the ball there is excitement on the field because you know what he’s capable of. We knew that when he got to the ball that good things would happen.”

Asked to push up as a forward in some circumstances for the Indians, Gerlach was also asked to help control the midfield at other times. Kodama said whatever was asked of the senior, he was always willing to do what he had to for the betterment of the team.”

“He also took on added responsibility this season as a captain and as a senior,” Kodama said. “He did that quite well. He played wherever we needed him and he filled whatever role was necessary. He was very open to doing different things.

“In one game against [Crescenta Valley], I remember we pushed him up and he really had no more legs because he worked so hard throughout the game. He was basically done and we were ready to take him out. So we just told him to hang up top and see what he could do. Well, he just goes and scores the winning goal.

“He was just always there to give his all.”