HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER : Burbank Fires Blank at Arroyo Grande in 3-A

Dave Kemp, the Burbank High soccer coach, is a lot like the manager of a million-selling music act. He sits back and watches while the hits just keep on coming.

Burbank moved a step closer to reaching the No. 1 spot on the Southern Section 3-A charts when the Bulldogs shut out Arroyo Grande, 3-0, Tuesday in a second-round playoff game at Burbank.

Burbank is ranked second in the 3-A Division and will play Diamond Bar--a 2-1 winner over Los Alamitos--in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Burbank, winner of two consecutive Foothill League titles, is on the verge of Southern Section records for most shutouts and fewest goals allowed in a season.

Burbank goalie Sal Velasco has 18 shutouts--one short of the record held by San Gabriel and La Quinta. Velasco, a senior, has also allowed just six goals in 23 games. Millikan (in 20 games) and Esperanza (in 17) allowed eight goals during the 1983-84 season.

“Sal didn’t have to work too hard today,” Burbank Coach Dave Kemp said. “But, that’s because our defense can take more chances knowing he’s back there.”

Velasco spent most of the game against Arroyo Grande with his arms crossed watching the action at the other end of the field.

Burbank (22-1) had a 1-0 lead at halftime after Pony Meir scored 27 minutes into the game. Meir’s goal came on a penalty kick into the left corner of the Arroyo Grande net. It was his 18th goal of the season.

The second half resembled many of Burbank’s games this season as the Bulldogs’ quickness and speed wore down their opponent.

Gino Carbone, who was playing in his first game for Burbank after moving from Peru, scored six minutes into the second half to put the Bulldogs ahead, 2-0.

Four minutes later Cesar Zepeda drove around two defenders and scored his 21st goal of the season.

“We got tired at the end of the game,” said Arroyo Grande Coach Bob Wilson, whose team commuted from Pismo Beach. “After awhile we had trouble with the air down here. We’re from the beach. I don’t think my kids were used to the smog.”

Wilson still thought Burbank was every bit as good as its billing.

“I think they have a good chance of winning the title,” Wilson said. “They are the best team we played all season. We played Foothill, the defending 4-A champs, earlier this season. Burbank is a better team than they are.”