INSIDE INFO

BURROUGHS VS. LITTLEROCK

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.

WHERE: Memorial Field.

2002 RECORDS: The Indians were 5-6; the Lobos were 3-7.

LAST SEASON: Burroughs defeated Littlerock, 19-17.

OUTLOOK: The senior-heavy Indians hope to begin the season the

same way they did in 2002, with a win against the Lobos. And to make

things better for the locals, they play this year’s game at home at

Memorial Field. With good success during summer passing league play,

Burroughs is itching to get on the field to see what it can do.

Running the offense is junior quarterback Nick Payne, who showed his

prowess as a passer during the summer. The Indians’ strength could be

their defense, as senior linemen Fernel Vasquez, Esteban Pereanez and

Eben Britton make for an intimidating trio. Also look for defensive

back Matt Patterson to come up with his share of big plays. For

Littlerock -- which plays in the CIF Southern Section Division II

Golden League -- it comes into the opener after struggling at times

last season during nonleague play. The Lobos’ two nonleague victories

came against North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake (1-8), 38-28 and Pomona

Garey (1-8-1), 21-19. It will be the first game for Coach Lin Parker,

who took over the Littlerock program. The team hasn’t had a winning

record since the 1999 season when it went 6-5.

SOMETHING INTERESTING: Burroughs junior lineman Shane Strahs is

the nephew of Tennessee Titans’ Coach Jeff Fisher.

Jeff Tully

BURBANK VS. LA CANADA

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.

WHERE: Friedman Field at St. Francis High.

2002 RECORDS: The Bulldogs were 2-8; the Spartans were 4-5-1.

LAST SEASON: Burbank defeated La Canada, 14-10.

OUTLOOK: Bulldog Coach Greg Sobiech enters his second season

heading a program that has struggled in recent years. Burbank should

have no problem putting a fine offensive unit on the field. Led by

junior quarterback Mike McDonald, the Bulldogs have a poised field

general who has improved from last season. In 2002, McDonald was a

Foothill League honorable mention selection in a league stacked with

good quarterbacks. The team’s success might rest with the play of its

defense. Under Coach Rich Wheeler, the Spartans are coming off a 2002

season in which they failed to make it to the CIF Southern Section

Division X playoffs for the first time since 1995. Wheeler -- who

takes over as the team’s offensive coordinator -- likes to run the

double-wing offense. The offense is led by senior quarterback Matt

Stoner.

SOMETHING INTERESTING: Burbank will probably have four sophomores

who will be starters this season.

Jeff Tully