Hector Valencia returns to a Burbank Bulldogs Football team looking to put last season in the rearview mirror after a losing campaign. Last season the Bulldogs finished with an overall record of 3-7 and went 1-4 in Pacific League play. In his first season back on the sidelines, Valencia will look to rebuild the program back to Pacific League title contenders. He takes over for Adam Colman, who has moved on to Buena High School as an ofensive coach.

The Coaching staff under Valencia will feature Mark Meredith (Frosh/Soph Head Coach), Oharjee Brown (Varsity Offensive Coordinator & Wide Receivers Coach), Tony Toledo (Varsity Defensive Coordinator & Defensive Backs Coach), and Drew Pendleton (Varsity Special Teams Coordinator & Outside Linebackers Coach). Meredith is currently the longest-tenured assistant coach on staff and served with Valencia during his first stint with the program. He has also coached under Richard Brussard and Adam Colman. Toledo previously served as Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach at Everett Alvarez High School and at Rancho San Juan High School before returning home to Burbank High School. 

“I wasn’t expecting to step into this role when the job opened up. I thought Adam Colman did an outstanding job with the team last season. Unfortunately he stepped down following last season and I stepped in knowing that I still have a lot of football left in me to still help build a successful program,” said the returning Valencia. He also admitted that there were certain things that he could have done better his first time around, but in returning for another stint, he knows he still can be a big presence for the players on the field. Last season Valencia served as the team’s running backs coach under Colman.

The Bulldogs expect to have a top five offense in the Pacific League and will be led by an experienced core. The players that will look to help the offense go places are seniors Daniel Zacakriaz (quarterback and wide receiver), Joseph Caballero(running back), Ezekiel Alvarez (wide  receiver and defensive back) Max Kelly (running back and wide receiver) and Sebastian Mirkazian. Although the defense was an issue last season, junior defensive back Noah May Vaughn should be a player that this defense builds around. Look for him to be a vocal leader for that unit. May Vaughn should also contribute on the offensive side of the ball at wide receiver. 

Important dates on the calendar will be the Week 0 game against San Dimas on Friday, August, 23rd which will be a home game for the Bulldogs at Memorial Field (John Burroughs High School). Burbank will host two games on campus at Kemp Kallem Field against Fillmore on Thursday, September 12th and Pacific League rival Glendale on Friday, October 18th. The remaining home games will take place at Memorial Field. This includes a home contest against Crescenta Valley, along with the 76th annual homecoming celebration game against cross-town rival Burroughs Bears with the Bulldogs serving as the designated visiting team. 

Senior night for the graduating seniors from the graduating class of 2025 will take place the same day the Bulldogs host Glendale at Kemp Kallem Field and will honor football, cheer, pom and band teams in a halftime ceremony. Stay tuned for coverage of Burbank Bulldogs football all season long.