Burbank football will take on Burroughs in rivalry week

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Memorial Field.

RECORDS: The Bulldogs are 6-3, 5-1 in the Pacific League; the Indians are 4-5, 4-2.

LAST WEEK: Burbank defeated Glendale, 56-10; Burroughs defeated Pasadena, 31-21.

OUTLOOK: The cross-town rivals return to the confines of Memorial Field for the 63rd installment of the annual Big Game. Things are far from decided as far as playoff implications for both Burbank and Burroughs. One just needs to look at the Bulldogs’ situation to see how drastic the scenarios can be. Burbank enters the contest in second place in league, just one game behind first-place Muir (6-3, 6-0). A win by the Bulldogs, coupled with a Mustangs loss to Pasadena, would give Burbank a share of the league championship. However, if Burbank loses and Arcadia (4-4, 4-2), defeats Crescenta Valley (4-5, 2-4), the Indians, Bulldogs and Apaches would finish with identical 5-2 records. Since games are split among the trio, coin flips would determine second and third places, leaving one squad out of the automatic playoff picture. The lone team left out could always apply for an at-large postseason berth. For Burroughs, if it beats Burbank and Arcadia loses to Crescenta Valley, the Bulldogs and Indians would have 5-2 league marks and both would be in the playoffs, with Burroughs being the No. 2 team via the rivalry win. The Bulldogs will be attempting to win their first Big Game since 2009, when they notched a 28-21 victory. The Indians have been victorious in 16 of the last 19 rivalry games. Burbank and Burroughs run offenses that rely heavily on the run, with passing held to a minium. The Bulldogs’ main running back this season has been sophomore James Williams, who is averaging 13.1 yards a carry in league. The team also has talented backs in senior Teddy Arlington and junior Joseph Pendleton. The Indians have received fine efforts the last two weeks by senior running back Josh Storer. Senior Israel Montes has also seen his share of time in the backfield. The Bulldogs — who failed to make it to the playoffs in 2011 — look to have an advantage on defense. Led by senior all-league nose guard Steven Kim (12 sacks, 57 tackles), Burbank gives up an average of just 15.8 points a game.

SOMETHING IINTERESTING: This season marks the first time in four years that Burroughs won’t earn a share of the Pacific League championship.