By Jim Riggio
Burbank High football coach Richard Broussard could have gone and celebrated a quality victory after his team defeated Arcadia 31-8 Friday night on the road in a tough Pacific League contest.
But Broussard wasn’t in the mood to be celebratory because he knows his team is capable of playing better.
“We’re trying to win a league title and we’re not where we need to be,” Broussard said. “We’re nowhere near where we need to be. We’re so stagnant. We’ve got to get better. Pasadena is going to give us a real tough test [next week]. The Big Game is after that. We’ve got to come out next week and play hard physical football and get back to what it is that we do.”
Burbank (5-3 overall, 4-1 in league) put pressure on Arcadia senior quarterback Nico Hillier all game. Hillier was sacked 10 times, but still managed to run 30 times for 185 yards.
Hillier played without his top receiver, junior Raeshawn Roland for unspecified reasons. Roland gave Burroughs fits last week in the Indians’ 39-34 win over the Apaches.
“They were down some guys,” Broussard said. “I think that impacted them. We could tell they came out flat.”
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Despite defeating Arcadia, 31-8, Burbank Coach Richard Brossard thinks his team can play better. (Photo by © Ross A. Benson)
Arcadia (4-4, 3-2) saw its receivers drop a number of passes as Hilliard ended up completing 10 of 37 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Part of Broussard’s frustration was Burbank’s inability to move the ball.
As a team the Bulldogs had just 211 yards of total offense.
Junior quarterback Guy Gibbs was five of 18 passing for 59 yards. Junior running back Nick Warren led the way rushing for 61 yards in 18 carries.
“I had a few things planned. But some guys went down and we’re thin, so I had to change some things,” Broussard said. “I told them if we get a first down we’ll score. That’s typically what happens.”
Burbank got on the board with 2:52 left in the first quarter as junior running back Andy Reyes scored on a double handoff after getting the ball from Warren. Reyes ran 17 yards on the touchdown.
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BHS defensive back/running back Andy Reyes is always around the action. (Photo by © Ross A. Benson)
Arcadia came back and actually took the lead with 35 seconds left in the first quarter after converting a two-point conversion. Hillier hooked up with freshman Jahlique Stephens on a two-yard touchdown pass.
But it was all Burbank from there.
Warren scored on a 15-yard run with 6:20 left in the first half to put Burbank back in front.
Junior wide receiver Forest Fajardo returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown with 1:26 left in the first half to make it 21-8.
Reyes blocked an Arcadia punt in the third quarter that led to a 29-yard field goal from senior Andrew Hank.
The Bulldogs also got help on defense from Fajardo and Warren as both had interceptions.
Warren scored on a three-yard run with 3:54 to play to put the game out of reach.
Burbank hosts Pasadena next Thursday at Memorial Field before playing rival Burroughs on Nov. 6.
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