MidValleySports.Com

Over the river, through the woods, defensive tackles, backs, and linebackers Burbank’s James Williams will go.

(Burbank)- The Burbank Bulldogs flashed everything everyone thought they had, and a little more in a 33-14 victory over Bell Gardens Friday night at District Memorial Field.

In the opener for both schools, the expectation was to see something special out of the Bulldogs James Williams and he didn’t disappoint scoring two touchdowns. Starting quarterback Ryan Meredith showed a strong arm and fast feet while throwing three touchdown passes. Meredith also had a pair of friends in wide outs Oharjee Brown and Dorian Householder.

Bell Gardens fell behind in the first quarter when Burbank’s Kalani Williams blocked a punt which led to an 8-yard scoring pass to Brown. The Lancers struggled to produce on offense, falling behind 19-0 at the half and 27-0 in third before getting on the board.

BG quarterback Charles Ontiveros

***James Williams; 10 carries 82 yards 1 touchdown, 2 catches 61 yards 1 touchdown. His first catch was for 43-yards and set up his 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. His second catch was on an 18-yard screen pass from Meredith with 3:10 to play in the fourth quarter.

***At last count in the fourth quarter, 35 flags were thrown.

***“That was a lot of flags. I’m not saying the refs did a bad job or anything, but it was a lot of flags and it was the first game for everyone tonight.”—Burbank HC Hector Valencia.

***Bell Gardens started on the offensive line: LT Raymond Pena, LG Alejandro Parra, C Eric Garcia, RG Jesse Medina, RT Ernesto Sandoval.

***Burbank started on the offensive line: LT Michael Wong, LG Mark Saldgado, C Daniel Murphy, RG Max Montoya, RT Jordan Meza.

***Bell Gardens HC Geoff Ackerman made his debut last night, and only third Lancers head coach since 1978. (Dave Newell 1978-1999, David Ramos 2000-2012).

***Burbank is now 5-0 in season openers under Hector Valencia.

***Burbank quarterback Ryan Meredith was 11 of 13 for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns.

***Burbank wide receiver Oharjee Brown caught 3 passes for 46 yards and 2 touchdowns. His second score came on a 33-yard pass from Meredith that was tipped by two different Bell Gardens defenders before Brown dove and caught the ball before it hit the ground.

***Bulldog wide receiver Dorian Householder caught 4 passes for 55 yards.

***Burbank strong safety Kalani Williams had a blocked punt and an interception. Bulldog linebacker Gary Clements intercepted the Lancers Charles Ontiveros in the end zone in the game’s final seconds.

***Bell Gardens quarterback Charles Ontiveros (in his second year as a starter) completed 22 of 34 for 179 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions. He also rushed for 61 yards on 13 carries and added the Lancers first score on a 4-yard run with 2:03 to play in the third quarter.

***Leading the Lancers in receiving were Eduardo Arreola (6/37), Anthony Chavez (5/43 Td), and Christian Orozco (4/76)

***Bulldogs running back Tony Toledo added a 2-yard touchdown run at the start of the third quarter.

***One time Lancers quarterback Tristian Escobar was solid from his linebacker spot for BG.

***Burbank (1-0) goes to Canoga Park (0-1) next Friday, while Bell Gardens (0-1) goes to El Rancho (1-1)