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Burbank football sees a lot of itself in playoff foe Northview

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There are some definite similarities between the football teams from Burbank High and Northview.

The squads have found success on offense this season with multifaceted attacks, as the Bulldogs and Vikings balance the run and pass with some accomplished players. In addition, the teams have also frustrated opponents with swarming defenses.

They will face off in the playoffs at 7:30 p.m. Friday when Burbank travels to take on Northview at the Covina District Field in the CIF Southern Section Division VIII quarterfinals.

“They do a lot of the same things that we do,” Burbank Coach Richard Broussard said. “They have a good quarterback who can not only pass the ball, but he’s great at running the ball. They also have some good receivers and some solid backs.”

Burbank (8-3) comes into the game after finishing second in the Pacific League behind Crescenta Valley, which handed the Bulldogs their only league defeat.

In the first round of the playoffs, Burbank defeated Brea Olinda, 52-32.

Northview (10-1) rolled to a Valle Vista League championship. Its lone loss of the season was a 44-22 nonleague setback to Charter Oak on Aug. 25 to start the year. Since the loss, the Vikings have won 10 straight games, including a 38-6 victory against Chino in the opening round of the playoffs.

“They are a good team,” Broussard said. “They didn’t get this far, with just one loss and have won 10 straight, if they weren’t good. I see a lot of us in them, in the way that they can do a lot of things to beat you and they have a few weapons.”

As far as averages go, the Bulldogs and Vikings are very similar. On defense, Northview gives up an average of 15.3 points a game while the Bulldogs surrender 16.5. On offense, the Vikings average 42.2 points a contest, while the Bulldogs average 38.2.

“To tell you the truth, they really look a lot like us,” Northview Coach Marcel Perez said. “They like to give the ball to a lot of different people and they have the ability to run and pass the ball. On defense, they have some very good players and they are very tough.

“You are looking at two teams that are very similar to one another. We are looking for a tough game and I don’t think it’s going to be easy for either side. ... It should be a great game.”

The Vikings moved up to Division VIII this season after competing in the Mid-Valley Division (regarded as Division X). In last year’s playoffs, Northview lost in the quarterfinals to Pomona, 62-55.

“It has been a move up for us, but you have to play where they put you,” Perez said. “We’re just getting used to the new division and a whole new group of teams. But our guys welcome the challenge and they have been excited about playing in this new division.”

Burbank has moved down this season for the playoffs, having competed in the Southeast Division (Division V) in the past. In last year’s postseason, the Bulldogs were defeated in the first round by Dominguez, 41-21.

The Bulldogs have had to play the last two weeks without all-league senior receiver/defense back Forest Fajardo, who has been sidelined with injured ribs. Broussard said he expects to have Fajardo (team-best 41 receptions for 727 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with four interceptions ) to be ready for Friday.

Running the Burbank offense has been senior Guy Gibbs, who has completed 133 of 246 passes for 1,933 yards with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Gibbs is third on the Burbank all-time list for passing yards in a season behind Mike McDonald (2,264 in 2004) and current assistant coach Adam Colman (2,066 in 2010).

On the ground, senior Nick Warren has stepped up for the Bulldogs, carrying the ball 185 times for 771 yards (8.2 yards a carry) and 12 touchdowns. Junior Darnel Williams has 80 carries for 443 yards and nine touchdowns and senior Joey Miller has 39 rushes for 320 yards and four touchdowns.

Northview has an accomplished quarterback of its own in Steven Comstock. The junior has completed 124 of 207 passes for 2,371 yards with 27 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also has rushed for 786 yards and 13 touchdowns. Since becoming the team’s starter as a freshman, Comstock has thrown for 6,153 yards and 67 touchdowns.

“Comstock is a great passer, but he can also run the ball very well and we have to look out for that,” Broussard said. “He is just a great all-around player.

“They have a lot of ways to hurt you. We will have to be on our game and play at our best.”

Comstock’s main target has been Antwaun Ayers, who has hauled in 58 receptions for 1,295 and 19 touchdowns. The Vikings’ main weapon on the ground is senior running back Kevin Thomas (121 carries for 1,041 yards and 13 touchdowns).

“We’re excited and happy to be playing at this point,” Broussard said. “From our film sessions, you can tell the guys are dialed in and they’re focused. They want to play well against this team and we like traveling, so that’s good. Our guys are proud of themselves, but they’re not content; they want to keep on playing.”

In its last CIF quarterfinal appearance in 2014, Burbank lost to Salesian, 48-27.

A win Friday would pit Burbank against No. 3 Don Lugo or Temescal Canyon in the semifinals Nov. 25. The Bulldogs will be looking to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2013, where they lost to La Serna, 28-21. That was the program’s first final four berth since 1927.

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Jeff Tully, jeff.tully@latimes.com

Twitter: @jefftsports

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