Burbank Bulldogs Secure CIF SS Playoff Spot with 62-14 Win over crosstown rival Burroughs Bears

Bulldogs clinch a CIF Southern Section Playoff Berth for a second straight season.

A high school football game scene with players on the field, a large crowd in the stands, and a festive atmosphere at night.

Football players and coaches on the field during a night game, with a large crowd in the stands and banners in the background.

In the 77th installment of the Burbank-Burroughs football game, the Bulldogs came out with a dominant 62-14 win over Burroughs to clinch a spot in the CIF Southern Section playoffs. Burroughs came off a narrow 34-28 week nine loss to Crescenta Valley, while Burbank came off a 69-0 shutout win over Hoover two weeks ago. The Bulldogs did not end up playing their week nine contest with the Glendale Nitros due to injury concerns surrounding the Nitros football team, which resulted in a Glendale forfeit.

A high school football game scene featuring Burbank Bulldogs players in blue uniforms and Burroughs Bears players in white uniforms on a well-lit field, with a large crowd in the background cheering.

Football game in progress between Burbank Bulldogs and Burroughs Bears, with players on the field and a large crowd in the stands under night lights.

The Bulldogs got on the board quickly on the first possession of the game, with Elijah Pendleton starting the game with a 62-yard touchdown run to give Burbank an early 7-0 lead over Burroughs. Burbank continued to rack up points in the first quarter with DeShawn LaPorte finding Elijah Pendleton with a 20-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs up 14-0. Laporte then threw two more touchdown passes to close out the opening quarter. First, Laporte found Exodus Freeman for a 37-yard connection to get the lead up to 21, and then Chase Miles as time ran out in the first quarter to increase the lead to 28-0.

A Burbank Bulldogs football game in progress, with players in white and red uniforms and blue uniforms, and spectators in the background.

High school football game between Burbank Bulldogs and Burroughs Bears, with players lined up on the field and an enthusiastic crowd in the background.

Burbank continued its scoring parade in the second quarter with Laporte throwing his third touchdown pass of the game by finding Tyler Hudson for a 13-yard touchdown. Ryan Mendoza’s extra point attempt hit the right upright, and the lead was 34-0. Kalem Valencia took it to the house for a 54-yard interception return for a touchdown, along with Tyler Hudson finding Aidan Dagher for a two-point conversion, and the teams headed into the locker room with a 42-0 score at halftime.

Football game in progress with Burbank Bulldogs in blue uniforms and Burroughs Bears in white uniforms, surrounded by a large cheering crowd in the stands.

Nighttime view of a football field with players in blue and white uniforms, an inflatable bulldog mascot in the background, and the goal post visible.

The Bulldogs’ defense forced a turnover on downs to start the second half. LaPorte found Chase Miles for his fourth touchdown pass of the game – this one a 75-yard connection to give the Bulldogs a 49-0 lead. The Bears finally got on the board with their first touchdown of the game. Brandon Chapparo scored a 4-yard touchdown run to make it a 49-7 game. Laporte found Hudson again for his fifth touchdown pass of the contest to make it a 56-7 game.

Football game in progress between Burbank Bulldogs and Burroughs Bears, with players positioned on the field at night.

High school football game under stadium lights, featuring the Burbank Bulldogs in blue jerseys and Burroughs Bears in white jerseys, with players positioned on the field.

Both the Bulldogs and Bears traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Troy Ascota took it to the house for a 9-yard touchdown run, and then LaPorte found Diego Placarte for a 10-yard touchdown pass, which was his sixth of the contest as time expired in the final quarter of play. Exodus Freeman was awarded the MVP of the homecoming football game for his only receiving touchdown of the game, along with his candidacy for the scholar athlete award.

A player from the Burbank Bulldogs football team stands on the field holding an award, while a female service member poses beside him in a military uniform. In the background, several teammates are celebrating.

Burbank Bulldogs football team celebrates after a playoff-clinching victory, with players gathered around a speaker in a post-game huddle on the field.

“This game was about us getting our execution on both ends of the football and getting healthy for the playoffs. Everyone got a chance to play and did a great job to end the season,” said Hector Valencia. Valencia also added that it was exciting for Freeman to be awarded the scholar athlete award for his contributions on the football field and for maintaining academic excellence in the classroom.

A night football game between two teams, with players in blue and red uniforms on a field, surrounded by a cheering crowd in the stands.

A night football game in progress with players on the field, fans in the stands, and cheerleaders in the background.

“This portion of the season was about our youth movement and gaining experience as a young team,” said Jose Calizadilla. Calizadilla expressed confidence that the Burroughs Bears football team has a bright future moving forward, along with being proud of Sean Gahman for being awarded the scholar athlete before the game.

Marching band performing on the field at Memorial Stadium during a football game, with a scoreboard showing the score and a large bulldog mascot entrance in the background at sunset.

Marching band members in red uniforms perform on a football field under evening lights, with mountains in the background.

Before kickoff, the homecoming courts and scholar athletes from both Burbank and Burroughs high schools were presented in a pregame ceremony.

Homecoming court participants walk onto the field, with an inflatable bulldog mascot in the background.

Homecoming court participants walking onto the football field during a pregame ceremony, with a yellow goalpost in view and a twilight sky in the background.

The homecoming court, headlined by John Burroughs High School, featured homecoming royalties Ethan Rivas and Melanie Fierro, along with Evan Baker, Jack Guest, Barlow Krorian, Roan Kelly, Alana Gay, Alyssa Pracha, Isabelle Ng, and Kimberly Holland rounded out the Burroughs High School homecoming court.

Football field at dusk with scoreboard showing '0:00', inflatable bulldog entrance in the background and players preparing for the game. — Screenshot

Marching bands from Burbank and Burroughs high schools prepare to perform during a night football game under stadium lights, with a large crowd in the background. — Screenshot

For Burbank High School, the homecoming prince and princesses were headlined by freshman Valentina Atallah & Jillian O’Guin, sophomores Kayla Protacio & Jacob Rantz, juniors Anna Badalyan & David Djinbachian, and seniors Amelia Maschek & Aleksandar Stephanyan. Emily Allen and Jacob Martinez were crowned Burbank High School’s homecoming royalties.

Group of individuals on a football field during a night game, holding an award certificate, with a band performing in the background.

A group of people on a football field during a night game, with a crowd in the stands. One person in a football uniform holds a certificate while surrounded by others in casual and military attire.

Burbank Bulldogs wide receiver Exodus Freeman and Burroughs Bears quarterback Sean Ghaman were nominated as scholar athletes for their hard work in the classroom and on the football field. They were both presented with certificates from members of the United States Army from the Great American Rivalry Series.

Football players from Burroughs and Burbank shake hands at the coin toss before the game, with referees in the background.

Players from the Burbank Bulldogs and Burroughs Bears team gather on the field for the coin toss before the game, with a referee and a military representative present.

Two members from the United States troops were coin toss participants in Staff Sergeant First Class Russell & Sergeant First Class Hon from the United States Army.

Two individuals embrace on a football field at night, with a scoreboard and inflatable bulldog tunnel visible in the background.

Two men standing on a football field with a scoreboard showing a tied game, accompanied by a Bulldog mascot inflatable in the background.

Burbank finishes the regular season with an 8-2 overall record and 6-1 in Pacific League play, with Burroughs finishing with a 3-7 overall record and a 3-4 Pacific League record. Burroughs’s season has officially concluded, and they will return to the football field next season. Burbank will discover their opponent in the first round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs on Sunday, November 2nd at 10:00 a.m.