First published in the Nov. 5 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
The appropriately named “Big Game” always sits at the end of the regular season, looming large for both Burroughs and Burbank football teams, and the prize is city bragging rights.
This season, it would be the final game for Burbank and a tune-up for the upcoming playoffs for host Burroughs.
Teams’ records seemingly go out the window when it comes to this rivalry game, which was being played last Friday for the 74th time.
The big winner this season was Burbank, which never trailed en route to a 30-27 Pacific League victory over the Bears at Memorial Field.
“Tonight we played our best, and it is a good way to cap off the year,” Burbank coach Adam Colman said.
Bulldog quarterback Dylan Robinson rushed for four touchdowns, each from one yard out, and finished with 69 yards on 20 carries. The senior also completed 5 of 8 passes for 73 yards.
“We’re never going to forget this for the rest of our lives. This is something we are going to be looking back on in 20 or 30 years and be like, ‘That is something we did,’” Robinson said. “To end on a win, a rivalry win, is the best feeling ever.”
Burbank (4-6 overall record, 2-3 in league) also got a big effort from senior Zakk Estrada, who rushed for 142 yards on 15 carries. Estrada also had a team-high three catches for 39 yards and, while on defense, he intercepted a pass.
“We came in as the underdogs and no one expected us to win,” Estrada said. “I just think it’s unbelievable. I’m so proud of our team.”
Burbank executed the game plan of ball control throughout, limiting the Bears’ opportunities on offense. In total, the Bulldogs doubled up Burroughs (7-3 overall, 3-2 league) in offensive plays run, 66 to 33.
“[Burbank] came out and they had a plan. We knew they wanted to control the clock, control the game, and that is what they did,” Burroughs coach Jesse Carven said. “They had a good plan and they beat us.”
The Bulldogs drove the ball 60 yards for a touchdown in 5:38 to open the contest. The drive lasted 11 plays, with 10 of them being runs. Robinson finished it with a one-yard plunge on fourth down and goal to go.
“That first score is huge for our team to play with some confidence on defense and play with a lead,” Colman said.
Burbank forced a punt on the Bears’ only possession of the opening quarter and led 7-0 after the first. The Bulldogs extended the lead with 7:46 left in the second quarter when Robinson ran for his second one-yard touchdown, although this time the PAT kick was missed.
Burroughs got on the board with 3:56 left before half with a nine-play drive that covered 60 yards. It culminated with a 25-yard scramble by Bears quarterback Chris Kulikov on fourth down and 15 yards to go. Earlier in the drive, Jake Scozzola had a pass reception for 36 yards. Kulikov finished 10 of 16 for 156 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The junior also rushed for a team-high 72 yards on five carries with two touchdowns.
Burbank scored the final points of the first half on a 35-yard field goal by Chris Aguirre with four seconds left to increase the lead to 16-7. Key on the drive was a 29-yard reception by Ben Forster off of play action.
Burroughs scored a touchdown on the opening possession of the third quarter. Scozzola returned the kickoff 73 yards and, two plays later, Kulikov threw a 10-yard touchdown strike to Dilan Webster. The extra point kick was blocked.
After a Burbank punt on the next possession, the Bulldogs cashed in on two Burroughs miscues to extend the advantage. It started with Estrada laying out to make an interception.
The Bulldogs converted the turnover into points soon after on Robinson’s third one-yard touchdown plunge with 2:45 left in the quarter. Earlier in the possession, Robinson had a 28-yard scramble.
The ensuing Burroughs possession could not muster a first down, with Burbank’s David Luga getting a sack on third down. The Bears lined up to punt but snapped the ball over the punter’s head, with the Bulldogs taking over at the two-yard line.
Two plays later, Robinson ran the ball in from one yard out for the fourth time. It was a 30-13 Bulldogs’ lead entering the fourth quarter.
Burroughs cut into the advantage with 10:47 left in the game. Kulikov finished a 75-yard drive with a 29-yard rushing touchdown.
The Bears got the ball back at their own 36-yard line following a punt with six minutes left, still trailing 30-20. On the first play of the drive, Kulikov connected with Webster over the middle for a 64-yard touchdown pass. The PAT kick by Brodie Kemp was good. Webster finished with a game-high 95 yards on five receptions with the two scores.
Burbank then used its ground game to grind away the rest of the clock. Estrada started it with a 20-yard run. Later, Robinson converted a fourth down and one by using a second effort for a first down. This allowed Burbank to kneel down to run out the rest of the clock.
The victory is a triumphant end to the season for Burbank, while Burroughs prepares for its playoff run. The Bears, the No. 2 entry from the Pacific League, traveled to Hemet to play at Tahquitz High, the 3 entry from the Mountain Pass League, last night. The game ended past the Leader’s press deadline and will be included in next week’s issue.
