Burbank’s Rally Burns Schurr, 29-19

Faced with the possibility of losing its second consecutive Foothill League game, Burbank High ignited for 4 second-half touchdowns--3 by senior tailback Tarin Cardenaz--and shocked Schurr, 29-19, Thursday night at Montebello High.

Burbank (5-2, 1-1 in league play) trailed, 13-0, at halftime and began its first possession of the third quarter on its own 12-yard line.

Quicker than you can say Orel Hershiser, the Bulldogs skipped the length of the field for their first touchdown and followed that with 3 more quick scores on consecutive possessions.

“I’m really proud of these guys,” first-year Burbank Coach Randy Stage said. “We cut down on our mistakes and didn’t give up and that’s how it paid off.”

Quarterback Anthony Valento, who completed 4 of 8 passes for 112 yards, hit Dan Shaw with a 61-yard scoring pass to cap Burbank’s first drive.

Cardenaz, who rushed for 164 yards in 16 carries, followed with touchdown runs of 1, 69, and 34 yards.

“The middle rushing was there,” said Cardenaz, who has gained 712 yards this season. “I would have broken one earlier, but I fumbled.”

Said Stage: “He came to me at halftime and said, ‘Coach, don’t give up on the dive.’ We knew we could drive the ball on them.”

Schurr scored 2 second-quarter touchdowns with the aid of Burbank turnovers. Late in the first quarter, Burbank punter Brian Gordon mishandled a snap, resulting in a Spartan first down at the Burbank 33.

Seven plays later, Schurr quarterback Jay Macias, who completed 7 of 18 for 113 yards, hit Jesse Ramirez with a 4-yard swing pass for the first of 2 touchdown passes.

After a Schurr punt, Cardenaz fumbled on the first play from scrimmage at the Bulldogs’ 8.

Two plays later, Frank Martinez swept 6 yards for a touchdown, but a conversion attempt by Jim Lenoue fell short.

Schurr (5-2, 1-1) scored its final touchdown with 42 seconds to play on a 39-yard bomb from Macias to Ramirez.

Said Cardenaz: “This win puts us back in the race for the league title.”