Weekly Football Preview: Burbank vs. Burroughs
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BURBANK VS. BURROUGHS
•WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
•WHERE: Memorial Field (Burroughs High)
•RECORDS: The Bulldogs are 4-5, 3-2 in the Pacific League; the Indians are 5-4, 1-4 in the Pacific League
•LAST WEEK: Burbank had bye; Burroughs lost to Arcadia, 36-28
•LAST SEASON: The Bulldogs defeated the Indians, 54-20
•OUTLOOK: It was a lopsided result last season in the highly anticipated game, as Burbank rolled past outmatched Burroughs. This season’s edition of the “Big Game’ cross-town rivalry contest looks to be more competitive. Burbank last took the field Oct. 18, when it defeated Glendale in a Pacific League contest, 27-0. Heading into the final game of the regular season, Crescenta Valley (5-0 in league) has already clinched a share of the league championship and can claim it outright with a win Thursday against defending champion Arcadia. Muir (4-1in league) is in second. Burbank is currently tied for third place with Pasadena. Only the top three teams in league earn a guaranteed spot in the CIF Southern Section playoffs. Burroughs, which has lost four straight league games, sits in sixth place and can only hope for an at-large berth into the Division XI playoffs. If the Indians don’t qualify, it would be the fourth straight season they have failed to make the postseason. The Bulldogs have had some time off heading into the 71st annual “Big Game.” Both Burroughs and Burbank have been dealing with injury issues and both had their starting quarterbacks sidelined with injuries in recent games. The Bulldogs have been paced by junior quarterback Aram Araradian, who missed the Glendale game because of an injury. He has completed 112 of 199 passes for 1,933 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His primary targets have been senior receiver Ben Burnham (38 catches for 897 yards and five touchdowns) and junior receiver Brandon Pena (43 catches for 705 yards and six touchdowns). The Burbank rushing game has been paced by senior Isaac Glover (133 carries for 653 yards and six touchdowns). The defense is spearheaded by junior Max Mendieta (48 tackles). Burroughs has had an accomplished quarterback in senior Nick Garcia, who has completed 130 of 259 passes for 1,813 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Garcia has also has 61 carries for 318 yards and six scores. Leading the receiving corps are senior Carson Cardenaz (49 catches for 566 yards and 11 touchdowns) and senior Aiden Forrester (29 catches for 500 yards and eight touchdowns). The Indians running game is paced by sophomore Jon English (148 carries for 711 yards and four touchdowns). A force on defense for Burroughs has been senior Enqique Diaz (86 tackles).
•SOMETHING INTERESTING: Burbank has dominated the “Big Game” rivalry in recent years, winning three in a row and six of the last seven meetings. The last time Burroughs was victorious over its rival was in 2015, when the Indians registered a 47-21 victory.
