The John Burroughs Bears officially begin the Jose Calzadilla Era 

Published by

Lorenzo Antonio

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A bounce back season for the Bears in 2025 

A football practice session at a stadium, featuring a player in a gray shirt throwing a football while another player watches nearby.
High school football players practicing on a green turf field under a clear blue sky, with some players in red and gray uniforms and bleachers in the background.
High school football team practicing on a sunny day on a field with stadium seating in the background.
High school football players practicing on a field with stands in the background under a clear blue sky.
Football practice at John Burroughs High School with players training on a field under a clear blue sky.
High school football players practicing on a field with coaches observing in the background.
Football practice at a high school field featuring multiple players in red and gray jerseys, with an empty bleacher area in the background.
Football players practicing on a field with bleachers in the background under a clear blue sky.

The John Burroughs Bears are on a mission to have a bounce back season in 2025, following a season where they missed the CIF Southern Section Playoffs on the coin flip a year ago. Last season, the Bears finished with a 6-4 overall record and a 4-3 record in Pacific League play, which put them in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Pacific League with Pasadena and Crescenta Valley. 

John Burroughs Bears football team practicing on the field with coaches and players in red and gray uniforms.
Students participating in a football practice on a sunny day, wearing red and white uniforms with a football field and empty bleachers in the background.
High school football team practicing on a field under a clear blue sky with a coach instructing players in red and gray uniforms.
High school football team practicing on a field with players in red and white uniforms, with a stadium in the background under a clear blue sky.
John Burroughs Bears football team practicing on a field with mountains in the background and empty bleachers.

Jose Calzadilla, a John Burroughs High School alumnus, is entering his rookie season as the head coach of the football program after serving on multiple staffs with the Bears/Indians in a variety of roles since 1999. Last Fall, Calzadilla served as the team’s offensive line coach. While playing football for Burroughs, Calzadilla played for head coaches Butch McElway and Bob Dunnivant. 

Football players and coaches on the field during practice at Memorial Stadium, with bleachers and goalposts visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
John Burroughs Bears football players practicing at Memorial Stadium, arranging tackling dummies on the field under a bright sky.
A group of football players in red and white uniforms practicing on a field, with a coach giving instructions under a clear blue sky.
Players practicing on a football field with bleachers in the background on a clear day.

The coaching staff under Jose Calzadilla will feature frosh head coach Fabian Ospina, and varsity defensive and special teams coordinator Keith Recchia. Calzadilla will also serve as the varsity team’s offensive coordinator in addition to his head coaching duties with the Bears. Calzadilla also added to his staff and brought in Jason Welsh to serve as the quarterbacks, defensive backs and linebackers coach. He also brought on familiar faces to the Burroughs football program in former Indians head football coach Mike Reily to serve as the varsity offensive line coach, and also Joe Howe to work as the varsity defensive line coach.  

A group of football players wearing helmets and practice jerseys on a field during a training session.
A football practice session with players training on a field, a coach guiding them, and empty bleachers in the background under a blue sky.

John Palma will work as the varsity running backs coach and a co-defensive backs coach with Welsh. Welsh most recently worked with Carter Paysinger as the quarterbacks coach at Santa Monica High, while Reily, Palma, and Howe all come in with familiarity with the Burroughs High football program and have past experiences with the team. 

John Burroughs Bears football team practicing on the field with players in red jerseys and white helmets under a clear blue sky.
John Burroughs Bears football team practicing on the field with coaching staff and players in red uniforms under a blue sky.
Football practice on a field with players in red uniforms and a mountainous backdrop under a clear blue sky.
A football player runs on a practice field while throwing a football, with other players in red jerseys training in the background and mountains visible in the distance.
John Burroughs Bears football team practicing on the field, with players wearing red helmets and jerseys, and training equipment in the foreground.

“I think our guys practiced hard all summer, our coaching staff has done an amazing job getting them ready and showing them how to get back to winning football,” said Jose Calzadilla. Calizadilla also said that he felt like he knew what his vision was on the offense when asked about why he decided to call the offense plays and not go with an offensive coordinator on staff. 

A group of football players training on a field, with one player throwing a football and a scoreboard visible in the background.
A group of football players practicing on a field with trees and a scoreboard in the background.
A football player in a red jersey throws a pass on a practice field, with teammates in the background practicing drills; empty bleachers and mountains are visible in the distance.
A player in a red shirt throwing a football on a practice field, with teammates in the background and empty bleachers under a clear blue sky.

The Bears will have two options at quarterback between juniors Brandon Chaparro and Sean Ghaman, but Chaparro has already won the quarterback battle and will start the season opener against Hart. Chaparro sat behind Mingus Allen last season as the primary backup quarterback and is looking to take his chance as the Bears’ starting quarterback, with Ghaman waiting in the wings. While the offense is looking to find its identity, the Bears’ defense should be a strength heading into the 2025 season. This team will be headlined by three returning all-Pacific League second team defenders in defensive back Carson Shorde, linebacker Ryder Bowne, and defensive lineman Dominic Saraceno. 

John Burroughs Bears football team practicing on the field with coaches during a training session.
Two coaches discussing strategy on the football field with players practicing in the background, surrounded by empty bleachers and mountains in the distance.
John Burroughs Bears football players practicing on a field, with coaches and other players visible in the background and mountains under a clear blue sky.
A football practice session with players in red uniforms on a field, showcasing various drills and formations, with bleachers in the background.

The Important dates on the John Burroughs Bears football calendar will include their week one game against Hart High School on the road, on Friday, August 29th at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, with kick off slated for 7:00 p.m. The Bears’ home opener will take place on Friday, September 5th, against Santa Monica on Friday, September 5th at 7:00 p.m. Another key date on the schedule will be the Hall of Fame game against Pacific League rival Glendale Nitros on Friday October 3rd, with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. This contest will include pregame ceremonies at the Brian Hurst Gym and on the field before kick off, as longtime softball and soccer coach Louie Binda and longtime tennis coach Roy Bernhardt will be inducted into the John Burroughs High School Athletics Hall of Fame. 

Players on the John Burroughs Bears football team participating in practice on a field with bleachers in the background.
John Burroughs Bears football team practicing on the field with players in red and white uniforms, one player throwing a pass while others watch.
John Burroughs Bears football team practicing on the field, players in red jerseys and helmets, with a backdrop of empty bleachers.

Senior Night, honoring the graduating seniors on the Burroughs Bears football, cheer, marching band, and dance programs, will take place on Friday, October 24th, against Crescenta Valley at 7:30 p.m. The 77th annual homecoming football game against crosstown rival Burbank will take place on Thursday, October 30th at 7:00 p.m., which will also include pregame festivities honoring the homecoming court before kickoff. The Bears will serve as the designated visiting team and the Bulldogs will serve as the designated home team in the 2025 Burbank Bowl at Memorial Field. Stay tuned for coverage of Burroughs Bears football all season long. 

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