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