A young Burroughs team is looking to prove people wrong

LaRon Johnson officially kicks off his first season as the next Head Coach of the John Burroughs Bears Football program and will look to guide them to back-to-back Pacific League Titles. A young Bears team is looking to prove people wrong by their style of play and to perform well for their new coach. Johnson previously served as the Head Coach at La Puente High School and guided them to a CIF Southern Section Playoff appearance. That was a short-lived  playoff run with a loss to Bell Gardens in the opening round of the playoffs. 

Johnson’s coaching staff features Head Frosh Coach Fabian Ospina, Varsity Offensive Coordinator Johnny Sanders, and Varsity Defensive Coordinator Keith Recchia. Johnson will also serve as the Special Teams Coordinator on the varsity level in addition to his head coaching duties. Recchia is currently one of the longest-tenured assistants on staff along with varsity offensive line and run game coordinator Jose Calizadia. Both served under four different head coaches at Burroughs, having worked under Keith Knoop, Mike Riley, Ran Holgren, and Jesse Craven. Sanders had stops in Sotomayor High, Valley Christian High, San Gabriel High, Hamilton High, Pierce College, Arcadia, Cantwell Sacred Heart High, Don Bosco High, Cathedral High, Don Bosco Tech High, Blair High, and at the University of St Mary’s before coming to Burroughs to serve as Offensive Coordinator under his longtime friend Johnson.  

Although there are still things to be answered, the open quarterback competition on the varsity level remains ongoing and a decision won’t be made until the week 1 game against Hart. Sophomores Brandon Chaparro, Sean Ghaman, junior Frankie Tapia, and senior Rocco Millio are all in the race for the starting job with Chaparro having a slight advantage in the competition. Other key players to keep an eye on are senior wide receiver and defensive back Patrick Lima and junior running back Mateo Taraca, who should be key pieces to the team this season. 

“They’ve worked their tails off all summer long and have done everything I’ve asked them to do.” said the new Bears coach. Johnson also stated whoever starts at quarterback they will get the job done for us but mentions that Brandon Chapparo has the upper hand in the races since he’s been at every practice since Johnson’s arrival as head coach. 

Important dates to look out for on the 2024 calendar will be the season opener in week 1 on Friday, August 30th, against Hart with kickoff slated for 7 PM along with Senior night honoring the class of 2025 members on the football cheer and band squads against Hoover (Glendale) on Friday, October 4th(Week 6). Another key date on the calendar will be the 76th annual Homecoming contest against crosstown rival Burbank on Friday, November 1st, with kick-off slated for 7 PM. Burroughs will serve as the designated home team while Burbank will serve as the designated visiting team for the big game. Stay tuned for coverage of Burroughs Bears Football all season long.