New Heroes for Valencia

Robert Herrick and Charles Burnley stood at midfield and engaged in a hug that would have been unlikely a year ago, when they attended rival Catholic schools in the Valley.

But they have so much in common now.

Both play for Valencia High, both have stepped from the shadows to take over key roles and both are going to the second round of the Southern Section Division III playoffs.

That was ensured on Friday night after quarterback Herrick and running back Burnley combined for more than 300 yards in the Vikings’ 41-26 victory over Palmdale.

“You’d think we’d be enemies,” said Herrick, a senior transfer from Alemany. “But we’re like a family.”

Burnley, a sophomore from Crespi, rushed for 183 yards in 26 carries.

“He hurt us pretty bad,” said Coach Jeff Williams of Palmdale (7-3-1), which led, 12-0, five minutes into the game.

Neither Herrick nor Burnley were projected as key players going into the season.

Quarterback Kyle Bauer led the Vikings to the division final last season and passed for more than 2,000 yards this year before breaking a finger last week.

Burnley stepped in after being academically ineligible for the first eight weeks of the season.

“You never know how the season is going to play out,” said Coach Brian Stiman, who certainly isn’t complaining.

Valencia will host fourth-seeded Mira Costa, the Bay League champion, next week in a quarterfinal at Canyon High.

But that date was anything but a lock until the second half, when Valencia scored the final 14 points to turn a 27-26 lead into a runaway.

Quarterback Terry Furlow of Palmdale rushed for two touchdowns, Bobby Bynum added another, and George McIntyre connected with Tyrone Culver for a 51-yard touchdown on a halfback pass.

But Valencia had too much firepower, out-gaining the Falcons 419 yards to 205, and answered every blow.

Valencia (9-2), runner-up in the Foothill League, dominated on the offensive line, and a team that lived all season by Bauer’s passing rolled up 292 yards rushing.

“We always thought we could run,” Stiman said. “But we had Kyle so why should we?”

Brandon Fuselier scored on runs of three, four and 17 yards, receiver Nick Scott scored on a 17-yard reverse and Marc Stockland added a four-yard touchdown run.

Herrick connected with Will Broadous for a six-yard touchdown pass, Broadous’ 13th touchdown of the season.

Palmdale took a 6-0 lead when Furlow scrambled and ran 44 yards for a touchdown on the Falcons’ first possession.

On Valencia’s second play, Derek Hagan intercepted Herrick’s pass and returned it 39 yards to the Viking six-yard line. Four plays later, Bynum scored from one yard for a 12-0 Palmdale lead.

Valencia took over from there.

SCOREBOARD

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

DIVISION III

Notre Dame 31

Lancaster 8

Peninsula 43

Muir 18

Valencia 41

Palmdale 26

Mira Costa 36

Arcadia 29

Antelope Valley 34

Hawthorne 6

St. Francis 36

Saugus 14

Crescenta Valley 23

Leuzinger 0

Hart 45

Chaminade 3

SEE D12 FOR OTHER

PLAYOFF RESULTS

*

INSIDE

* Phil Beckmann and Michael Luderer led Notre Dame to an easy 31-8 victory over Lancaster. D13

* Hart’s defense matched the effort of its offense in a 45-3 beating of Chaminade. D13

* Tyler Ebell of Ventura was held to a season-low 200 yards rushing but scored five times. D14