Football previews: Burbank vs. Hoover; Burroughs vs. Arcadia
BURBANK VS. HOOVER
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Moyse Field (Glendale High)
RECORDS: The Bulldogs are 6-2, 3-2 in the Pacific League; the Tornadoes are 2-6, 0-5
LAST WEEK: Burbank defeated Glendale, 56-14; Hoover lost to Crescenta Valley, 56-16.
OUTLOOK: The Bulldogs played well last week against the Nitros after suffering two straight Pacific League losses the previous two weeks to Crescenta Valley and Muir. Heading into Thursday’s contest, Burbank finds itself in a two-way tie for fourth place in league with Arcadia. A loss in the Bulldogs’ final two games of the regular season would put an automatic playoff berth from the league out of their reach. However, the Bulldogs could get a playoff sniff if they defeat Hoover and take care of Burroughs in the annual Big Game rivalry contest. Hoover has long since seen its postseason aspirations fall by the wayside. The only victories the Tornadoes have to show for the season are nonleague wins against Blair, 65-0, and a forfeit against Sotomayor. Hoover opened the season with two wins and has proceeded to lose six-straight games. Burbank continues to run a torrid offensive attack behind junior running back James Williams and junior quarterback Ryan Meredith.
SOMETHING INTERESTING: Burbank has the most prolific offense in the Pacific League, averaging 45.1 points a game, while Hoover is second to last with an average of 18.9 points a game.
BURROUGHS VS. ARCADIA
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Arcadia High
RECORDS: The Indians are 5-3, 4-1 in the Pacific League; the Apaches are 5-3, 3-2.
LAST WEEK: Burroughs defeated Pasadena, 38-0; Arcadia lost to Muir, 48-7
OUTLOOK: With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, Burroughs is very much still alive in the race for the Pacific League championship. However, the Indians will need a little help. Burroughs enters the contest against Arcadia tied for second place in league with Crescenta Valley (7-1, 4-1). The two squads are just one game behind league-leading and defending-champion Muir (7-1, 5-0). But the Falcons play the Mustangs this week, and a Crescenta Valley win — coupled with a Burroughs victory — would have the trio log jammed at the top of the league standings with one loss each. On the flip side, a loss by the Indians in the final two weeks could knock them out of an automatic playoff berth. It was the Burroughs defense that stepped up last week, earning the shutout. It was the second straight league shutout for the Indians, who also earned a 69-0 win Oct. 17 against Hoover. Arcadia has a solid quarterback in senior Joey Harmon. Burroughs counters with senior quarterback Andrew Williams, who has improved as the season has progressed.
SOMETHING INTERESTING: Since joining the league in 2006, Burroughs has captured Pacific League titles in 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Jeff Tully