MidValleySports.Com

That's one for Keith Knoop

By Tom Hendrickson

(Burbank)- “Let’s just say its a huge monkey off my back,” said Burroughs HC Keith Knoop after the Indians defeated El Rancho 41-21 on Friday night in the first round of the CIF Southeast Division playoffs.

Knoop, 0-6 in previous playoff appearances, saw the same combination that worked down the stretch against Burbank the week before do it again.

Quarterback Lucas Yanez connected on touchdown passes of 12 and 35 yard to brother Tyler Yanez to key the victory.

Lucas also added touchdown runs of 12 and 10-yards to help Burroughs to a 21-0 first quarter advantage.

Down by three scores El Rancho answered back with a pair touchdowns to crawl back into the game before the half.

The first coming off a 13-play 78-yard drive that was finished by quarterback Troy Campos on a 1-yard run.

The second was set up by Bryan Sedillo’s punt return that landed the Dons at the Indians 31. Moments later Andrew Romero scored on a 5-yard run.

The teams traded punts for most of the third quarter before Frank Aguilar stepped in front of a Troy Campos pass and returned in 36-yards for a touchdown to put Burroughs ahead 27-14.

The extra point failed.

At the start of the fourth Yanez went to Yanez on their 35-yard hook up and the Indians didn’t look back.

Campos would later convert an 15-yard strike to Freddy Garcia, but Lucas Yanez countered by 15-yards to Anthony Carter to close out the scolding.

For The Ranch and HC Rick Zepeda it’s on to next year, for Burroughs and the recently liberated from the monkey on his back Keith Knoop it will be trip next week to Mayfair.