INSIDE INFO
BURROUGHS VS. CANYON
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.
WHERE: Canyon High.
RECORDS: The Indians are 4-4, 1-2 in league; the Centurions are
7-1, 2-1.
LAST WEEK: Burroughs lost to Hart on Monday, 40-0; Canyon defeated
Burbank, 39-33.
OUTLOOK: Because of the wildfires that burned in Santa Clarita
last week, Burroughs had its Foothill League game on Friday postponed
and had to make it up Monday. Playing two games in five days should
be tough on the Indians. The short time between games gives Burroughs
little time to prepare for a powerful Canyon team. Canyon has been
able to plow through all but one of its opponents -- its only loss
coming in a league setback to Hart, 56-21 -- the Centurions showed
they are vulnerable last week, as they had to hold on to beat the
Bulldogs. Burbank was able to intercept Cal-bound quarterback Nate
Longshore twice, but the senior was able to pass for 221 yards and
two touchdowns. Longshore has passed for 2,045 yards (with a 57.8%
completion rate) and has 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His
favorite target is wide receiver Sean Coen, who has racked up 920
yards and 13 touchdowns. The Indian pass defense will have to be at
its best if Burroughs hopes to contain Longshore and Canyon.
SOMETHING INTERESTING: Canyon is ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern
Section Division II.
BURBANK VS. VALENCIA
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.
WHERE: Memorial Field at Burroughs High.
RECORDS: The Bulldogs are 5-3, 1-2 in league; the Vikings are 6-2,
2-1.
LAST WEEK: Burbank lost to Canyon, 39-33; Valencia defeated
Saugus, 48-8.
OUTLOOK: Although pleased with their performance against Canyon
last week, the Bulldogs and Coach Greg Sobiech would have liked a win
even better. The Bulldogs played well, especially in the first half,
against one of the premier teams in CIF Southern Section Division II.
Burbank will have to keep up that intensity if it hopes to topple the
talented Vikings in a Foothill League contest. Valencia is ranked No.
4 in the division, and its only loses have come against Sherman Oaks
Notre Dame (24-23) and Canyon (52-45). Quarterback Mike Herrick runs
the Valencia offense, and he has passed for 1,879 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Along with a 66.4% completion
rate, Herrick also averages 268.4 yards through the air a game. On
defense, the Vikings have a good cornerback in Geoff Tisdale, who has
eight interceptions.
SOMETHING INTERESTING: In last week’s win, Burbank defensive back
Jesse Ayers returned an interception 90 yards to break a 51-year-old
school record. The previous mark was 83 yards set in 1952 by Jim
Graves.
BELL-JEFF VS.
MONTEBELLO CANTWELL-SACRED HEART
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.
WHERE: Cantwell-Sacred Heart.
RECORDS: The Guards are 7-1, 1-1 in league; the Cardinals are 4-5,
3-0.
LAST WEEK: Bell-Jeff lost to L.A. Salesian, 20-14; Cantwell-Sacred
Heart defeated L.A. Daniel Murphy, 52-0.
OUTLOOK: The Guards -- who dropped from third to seventh in CIF
Southern Section Division XII -- might have seen their Santa Fe
League championship hopes dashed with the loss last week to host
Salesian. However, Bell-Jeff still has an outside shot to claim at
least a share of the league crown. The Guards would have to defeat
the Cardinals on Friday, and get a win against Panorama City St.
Genevieve on Nov. 14, and they would finish as co-champions with
Cantwell-Sacred Heart. After a tough nonleague schedule -- and losses
to higher-division teams Fountain Valley (27-18) and Anaheim
Esperanza (49-6) -- the Cardinals have been able to roll in league
play. In three league games, Cantwell-Sacred Heart has outscored its
opponents, 110-22, giving up just 7.3 points a game. Baring a total
collapse, the Guards will make the Division XII playoffs. However,
finishing atop the league would give them a lot better draw for the
postseason, and a better chance to go deeper into the playoffs.
SOMETHING INTERESTING: Bell-Jeff is trying to overcome injures to
its two starting running backs -- Adrian Anetema, who is expected to
be out one game with an ankle injury -- and Derek Leiphardt -- who
suffered a knee injury in last week’s loss.
Jeff Tully