Football previews: Burbank vs. Arcadia; Burroughs vs. Glendale

BURBANK VS. ARCADIA

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Arcadia High

RECORDS: The Bulldogs are 3-0; the Apaches are 2-1.

LAST WEEK: Burbank defeated Inglewood, 50-12; Arcadia defeated Azusa, 8-7.

OUTLOOK: Burbank has been steam rolling its way into Pacific League play, as Friday’s game will be the league opener for both teams. The Bulldogs have looked stronger each week throughout their first three games, and last week’s rout was a perfect example. The defense did a solid job, limiting Inglewood to just 12 points. The Burbank offense also seemed to be in a groove, led by junior running back James Williams. Williams had four touchdowns, including a 99-yard kickoff return for a score. “With our offense and defense, we feel we have the complete package this year,” Burbank Coach Hector Valencia said. “We had 17 penalties our first game against Bell Gardens, and we’ve really cleaned that up. I think that’s helped us.” On paper, the game with Arcadia looks like a mismatch favoring the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have the toughest defense among league squads, surrendering an average of just 11 points a game. Arcadia gives up an average of 20.7 points. On offense, the Bulldogs are averaging 49.3 points a game, while Arcadia is averaging just 17.7.

SOMETHING INTERESTING: The Bulldogs haven’t lost a Pacific League opener since 2007, when they lost to Arcadia, 13-7.

BURROUGHS VS. GLENDALE

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Moyse Field (Glendale High)

RECORDS: The Indians are 1-2; the Nitros are 2-1.

LAST WEEK: Burroughs lost to Camarillo, 48-14; Glendale defeated South Pasadena, 23-7.

OUTLOOK: Although their records are reversed coming into the Pacific League opener for both teams, one has to look at the level of competition Burroughs and Glendale have faced during the first three weeks of the season. The Indians have faced two tough, ranked opponents in Camarillo and Paraclete. In comparison, the Nitros have notched wins against weaker teams in South Pasadena and San Gabriel. Glendale’s only loss came against La Cañada, 27-20. “Glendale’s better, but they’re going to be kind of one-dimensional in what they can do,” Burroughs Coach Keith Knoop said. “Defensively, I don’t know if they’re big enough up front to stop us. … we’re not small, you know? Glendale’s going to give us some confidence going into CV, which has been putting up a lot of points and that’s always a battle. Then the following week we have Muir, so we’re really going to find out where we are in league right at the beginning, where other people might have to wait until the end. We’ll know where we stand pretty quick.”

SOMETHING INTERESTING: While Burroughs ranks second to last among league teams in points allowed (33.3), Glendale is second (12.3).

Jeff Tully