Burroughs football toppled in league by Arcadia
It’s been a roller coaster ride of a season for the Burroughs High football team.
The Indians began the campaign with five straight wins, which included winning its Pacific League opener against Glendale.
But since that win, Burroughs has come up empty against league competition, losing three straight.
Taking on host Arcadia — the defending league champion — on Friday, the Indians looked to get back on track and keep their hopes alive for qualifying for the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
Indians’ quarterback Nick Garcia threw three touchdown passes, but it wasn’t enough as Burroughs dropped a 36-28 league game to host Arcadia.
Arcadia (4-5, 2-3 in league) jumped out to a 13-0 lead early as quarterback Michael Hillier scored on a four-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Hillier connected on a 26-yard touchdown pass to Ty Cavallero early in the second quarter.
Burroughs’ Christopher Romero intercepted a Hillier pass in the end zone to thwart another Apache scoring opportunity.
Burroughs (5-4, 1-4) built a 21-19 lead early in the third quarter as Garcia hit Aiden Forrester on a 27-yard touchdown pass to give the Indians their only lead of the game.
Garcia completed 10 out of 23 passes for 135 yards and gained 53 yards in seven carries and one touchdown.
“Our receivers were really trying out there, but injuries have really hurt us. We have to remain focused and maybe try something different,” Garcia said.
Burroughs, which dressed about 25 players, was led on the ground by sophomore Jon English, who carried 20 times for 60 yards. Carson Cardenas caught six passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns.
The Garcia-Cadenaz connection helped Burroughs to close to within 19-14 at halftime, as Cadenaz caught touchdown passes covering three and 35 yards in the second quarter.
Hillier completed 18 of 24 passes for 302 yards and one touchdown. Isaiah Lopez caught eight passes for 196 yards.
Garcia ran 10 yards for a touchdown with 1:05 seconds left to pull the Indians within 36-28. Arcadia fielded the ensuing pooch kick and proceeded to run out the clock.
“We were not ready and that falls on me. We have a lot of people playing out of position. We’re still looking for answers,” Burroughs coach Rand Holden said.
Burroughs will return to action for its season finale, as it takes on Burbank on Friday in the annual “Big Game” at Memorial Field.