By Rich Whittington
(Covina District Field) – When the football pundits, and those who are supposed to be “in the know” voiced their opinions about Friday’s CIF playoff game, no one gave Burbank much of a change against Northview. Unfortunately for our prognosticators, Burbank did not get the message. The Bulldogs survived penalties, mistakes, and the Northview defense, to post a 30-27 victory over the Vikings Friday evening.
The game began in a predictable fashion, with Northview scoring on the game’s opening drive, thanks to Steven Comstock 1 yard touchdown blast, with 8:22 remaining in the first quarter. Points were at a premium in the first half. In fact, the only scoring was a safety, which occurred when Northview snapped the ball through the end zone on a punt attempt. This made the score 7-2 at halftime.
In the second half the action picked up. Burbank provided the first score of the second half when Nicolas Warren scored on a 1-yard run. Northview answered, with authority, as Comstock added a pair of long touchdown passes…the first, a 30 yard toss to Jimmy Amezquita. The second, a 52 yard bomb to Antwaun Ayers. This made the score 20-9 at the end of the third quarter.
The final quarter belonged to the Bulldogs, who scored three touchdowns in three different ways, to ensure the victory. Their first score came on a four-yard run by Darnell Williams, with 11:40 remaining in the game. Burbank’s second score of the quarter was courtesy of quarterback Guy Gibbs and Drew Pendelton, who connected on a 37-yard TD toss.
The third score was provided by defensive end Anthony Lira, who got to experience a “Lineman’s dream” as he intercepted a pass and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. Northview scored the final touchdown – a 49 yard pass from Comstock to Ayers with 34 seconds remaining. However, this was as close as the Vikings would get.
The Vikings finished the season with an overall record of 10-2 while the Bulldogs advanced to the semi-finals, where they will host
Don Lugo. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30PM.
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