JC MEN’S CAPSULES : Burroughs Keeps Slim Hopes Alive

Under most circumstances, Coach Keith Knoop of Burroughs High would probably be a little more excited about a resounding victory over his cross-town rival.

But Knoop had to temper his enthusiasm after his team came through with a 35-14 victory Wednesday night over Burbank in a Foothill League finale before approximately 8,000 fans at Burroughs.

After all, Knoop was a former player at Burbank.

“It’s a little tough deep inside since I’m a Bulldog,” Knoop said. “But you have to go with your paycheck.”

So Knoop wasn’t shedding any tears after Burroughs (3-7, 1-4 in league play) defeated Burbank (1-9, 0-5) for the seventh season in a row.

More importantly for the Indians, the victory kept alive their faint hopes to make Southern Section Division III playoffs.

They still have a chance for an at-large berth if Quartz Hill loses to Lancaster in its Golden League finale Friday night.

The playoff hopes for Burroughs would have vanished without an exceptional offensive performance in the second half.

Burbank appeared to have momentum after it took the opening possession of the second half for a touchdown.

After Steven Lupercio returned the second-half kickoff 44 yards to the Burroughs 41, quarterback Romeo Joudi scored four plays later on a one-yard keeper. Alan Gutierrez followed with a run for a two-point conversion and it was 14-14.

But the Indians asserted themselves on their next possession, driving 71 yards in 12 plays and scoring on a three-yard run by Michael Perez.

Burroughs broke it open early in the fourth quarter when Randy Beckmann scored on a six-yard run for a 28-14 lead.

It was the second touchdown of the game for Beckmann, who has scored two touchdowns in each of the last four games.

Burbank lost its 35th consecutive league game dating to 1992.

Burroughs finished with a 449-167 advantage in total yards.

Joe Kroells of Burroughs completed 12 of 21 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns, and Beckmann had five catches for 83 yards.

The only question remaining for Burroughs is whether or not they make the playoffs.

“We just want to have positive thoughts about that,” Knoop said. “We just want to get in. We don’t care who we play. We’ll play Hart if that’s what it takes.”