For Pasadena Thursday night it was joy unspeakable and full of gladness!
(Burbank) – Not even Disney Studios could have conjured up an ending that transpired at Burroughs High School Thursday night.
With Pasadena trailing by three with less than ten seconds to play, quarterback Aaron Simpson bought himself enough time to go 45-yards to wide receiver Andrew Wells in the end zone to complete an improbable 11 point comeback in the fourth quarter to lead Pasadena to a 45-41 win.
“This team has heart and never gives up”, said Pasadena head coach Mike McFarland. “This is the most unbelievable finish I have ever been apart of. We ran a post with Andrew and trips to the right. That was a quarterback that made a good throw and receiver who made a good catch.”
The win makes next week’s Turkey Tussle between Pasadena (5-4, 4-2) and crosstown rival Muir a showdown for the final playoff spot in the Pacific. The loss by Burbank (7-2, 5-1) drops them a half game behind Burroughs who plays Friday night against Crescenta Valley.
Simpson finished the night four of nine for 55 yards and one touchdown. He also had 10 carries for 67 yards.
Charles Hendricks led Pasadena with 20 carries for 122 yards and two scores, while Nick Escoe carried the ball 11 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
In a game reminiscent of a title fight, it was Pasadena who failed to flinch at the end when the game appeared to be wrapped up by Burbank with 5:55 to play and seemingly able to run at will against a Pasadena defense that was on it’s heels the second half.
Burbank, which established the run in the second half, was on its way to running out the clock with 2:25 left, the ball resting at the Pasadena 29 and facing a fourth and one with less than two minutes to play in the game. Burbank head coach Hector Valencia elected to run a option with Adam Colman, who was swallowed up by the entire Pasadena defense.
PHS' Nick Escoe (#21) rushed for 106-yards and two touchdowns against Burbank
The first half was a classic slug fest as both teams combined for 59 points and four-lead changes.
Burbank battled throughout the first half, as it were down by as many as eight points late in the second quarter.
Ulises Ochoa (16 carries for 148 yards and two touchdowns) would spark the comeback with 1:49 to play when he returned a 80-yard punt for a score to tie the score at 23.
After a Pasadena fumble on their very next possession, Burbank quarterback Adam Colman (nine of ten for 71 yards and two touchdowns) found Sam Bethany in the middle of the end zone for an incredible catch with 27 seconds to play and the lead.
Escoe would answer and redeem himself with a 65-yard run to with 12 seconds to go that gave Pasadena the halftime lead.
The third quarter was all Burbank as they used the no-huddle offense to keep Pasadena guessing. Burbank took the lead on a 17-yard run from Ochoa. Bethany (Two receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown) scored from 6-yards out on the next series to make it 41-30.
Pasadena was on the ropes after the third quarter, running only six offensive plays and didn’t get a first down until 9:21 to play on a Simpson 22-yard run.
Pasadena 16-14-0-15-45
Burbank 7-22-12-0-41
Scoring:
B – Cole Hazelwood 10 pass from Adam Colman (Anthony Cervantes kick)
P – Tripling Eugene 1 run (Desmond Miller pass from Aaron Simpson)
P – Charles Hendricks 18 run (Demetre Clark pass from Simpson)
B – Leo Rodas 2 run (Sam Bethany run)
P – Nick Escoe 10 run (Alex Rosas kick)
B – Ulises Ochoa 80 punt return (Bethany run)
B – Bethany 21 pass from Colman (kick fail)
P – Escoe 65 run (Rosas kick)
B – Ochoa 17 run (run fail)
B – Bethany 6 run (run fail)
P – Hendricks 13 run (Eugene pass from Simpson)
P – Andrew Wells 45 pass from Simpson (Rosas kick)
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