Burbank’s Manuel Lemus is the 2016 Defensive Coordinator of the Year
At first glance Burbank’s defensive statistics might not jump out at you. The Bulldogs gave up 254 points in 14 games – an average of a little more than 18 points per game.
Okay, maybe not numbers that make your jaw drop. But Burbank advanced all the way to the Division 8 CIF Finals before falling to Yorba Linda by making the stops when they had to. As far as points allowed, they were solid. 31 of those 254 points were given up to Yorba Linda – the CIF champs. Seven times during the season (half of the games) Burbank allowed 14 points or less. In two other games they allowed just 16.
Making the plays when they had to? The Bulldogs led the Division in takeaways, sacks, tackles for loss and defensive touchdowns. When a play was needed to turn the game or seal a victory it was the defense that usually made it. A defense that was led by Defensive Coordinator Manuel Lemus.
Lemus was previously the DC for the JV team but came over two years ago when Martin Bacon left for Covina. “He’s done a phenomenal job with our D the past two years,” said former Burbank head coach Richard Broussard. Broussard stepped down after the season.
“He made playing with effort and being as physical as humanly possible, staples to our defensive unit. He was relentless during the work week and it paid off on Friday nights,” Broussard said. “He trusts his players to do their job and they trusted the scheme.”
The players trusted the scheme and Lemus enough to knock off Brea Olinda, Don Lugo and Northview in the post season and play for a CIF championship.
Manuel Lemus is our Defensive Coordinator of the Year.
Individual Awards
Coach of the Year: Jim Singiser – Arroyo
Player of the Year: Bobby Cole – Sierra Canyon
Most Valuable Player: Sal Tovar – South El Monte
Newcomer of the Year: Ernesto Camacho – Arroyo
Offensive Coordinator of the Year: Mark Serve – Sierra Canyon
Defensive Coordinator of the Year: Manuel Lemus – Burbank
That’s right LM had transfers. 2nd string and JV guys not seeing the playing field who came to LM, who got coached up and became college prospects and helped the team win.
These kids still needed to be coached on the defensive schemes being run and they were. On top of that the defense was missing 4 starters the back half of the season including 2 D1 guys. PDL did an outstanding job with that defense and should of been the DC of the year.
Coach Zavala is making his debut at “Thunder from down under” starting in the spring.
Seriously Burbank isn’t even in the mid Valley area neither is Montebello. So why not select a DC from the mid Valley area like Charter Oak, Northview, Covina, Arcadia, Arroyo, and many others retards. @Bulldogs get off your high horse you got lucky when you beat Northview!! Giving up more than 10 points a game is not defensive coordinator quality!!
Anonymous,
I’m sure the teams LM beat the last 2 years didn’t have any transfers. Have a clue.
La Mirada had 15 Transfers that Year St. John Bosco & LB Poly Kids 2nd string kids that don’t play. That’s why they were good.
Using the points given up average as a metric then why wasn’t Ramon Poncedeleon not selected? His defense gave up 17.7 ppg and only 6.3 ppg in league. The Mats preseason and post schedule is tougher than the teams mentioned. He should of got it in 2015 as well when LM gave up 15.6 ppg and only 2.3 in league. On its way to a state championship they only gave up 10.5 ppg in postseason.
Is Zavala going anywhere?
C’mon.. T Peterson The Valley knows that The defensive coordinator of the year goes to Roger Lehigh from Charter Oaks. Do a little research for yourself check out Max Prep stats.Charter Oaks defense has been able to contain the best running backs in Valley & the Hacienda league and division 4 if it wasn’t for a QB injury CO could have beat SC 21-19 @ the half with are #3qb
From T. Peterson: A quick check of the stats shows that Charter Oak allowed an average of 17.9 ppg while Burbank was just over 18 – less than 1/2 of a point. They did have common opponents in Downey and Northview. Burbank gave up 7 to Downey while CO allowed 21. CO did give up less to Northview …22- 27 …just 5 points – no real difference. Plus Burbank made it to the CIF Final. So all things considered I’d still go with Burbank. You could make the argument that Charter Oak played in a tougher division but again they played similar opponents. What Lemus did at Burbank with his group of players was phenomenal.
Don’t forget Bulldog, Montebello also played a Horrible Schurr Squad .
Burbank gave up 6 points to Downey…that’s when you knew their D was pretty special. Congrats Coach Lemus!
Come on T. Paterson you guys all know that Roger Lehigh From Charter Oaks is the best DC in the San Gabriel Valley looked back in maxprep stats CO Defense keep in check the best Running back in The Hacienda league and division 4….Cmon voters
Is Brian Zavala leaving?
Montebello doesn’t play anyone. Burbank did. Enough said!
Wesso’s Gravatar Wesso
January 16, 2017 – 10:45 pm | Permalink
Jude Oliva is overrated. Brian Zavala is seriously a great asset to the staff. Wish him good luck wherever he ends up.
******
Is he going somewhere?
Montebello’s DC is overrated. That’s guy is a joke!
I agree with Bulldog Burbank is in a Higher Division with Better competition. Montebello did a Great Job in D11.
Montebello? really? Who did they play? El Monte, Azusa, Whittier and Cantwell in non league. League – Alhambra, Keppel, Bell Gardens and San Gabriel…that’s eight weak teams in a 10 game reg. season schedule! Only good opponents were St. Paul and Schurr. Now look at Burbank’s regular season opponents- Monrovia, Downey, Canyon, Muir, Arcadia, Crescenta Valley, Burroughs…the only weak teams were Glendale, Hoover and Pasadena. 7 solid teams, 3 weak. Montebello – 2 solid teams , 8 weak. And Burbank advanced to the Finals while Montebello got blown out in the semis. …Case closed. … It’s not even close. …great pick MVS- you nailed it!
Montebello’s Defense set some kind of record for points allowed. MVS, you missed the boat on that one.
Even Los Altos’ DC did a more spectacular job that what Burbank did.
254 points, 154 possibly, but Montebello only surrendered 116 in 13 games, with 42 coming against State Finalist Valley View. Montebello averaged half of what Burbank gave up. It’s too bad that the local pub didn’t acknowledge their (Montebello) defensive accomplishments. Def. Player of the Year for Area, and a different Defensive Player of the Year for league. 4 defensive TDs. 19 or 20 interceptions. 41 sacks. The list goes on.
Montebello DC?
Great Job by Cathedral High School Alumnus Manuel Lemus.
What about the LA D!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
From T. Peterson: The Los Altos DC was definitely considered. They had a great year. But we only choose one- just like our team, and we went with Burbank DC Lemus.