Chadz Vang hauls in Burbank’s only touchdown of the night. (Photo by Doug Brown).
(Chino) — Don Lugo runningback Khoury Bethley tallied 172 yards and four touchdowns in the Conquistadores 28-7 win over Burbank in the Semi-final round of the Divison 7 CIF-SS playoffs Friday night at Don Lugo High School.
After getting off slow to start the game, Don Lugo went to Bethley early and often in the opening frame. Calling all running plays in the Conquistadores second possession of the game, five out of the seven were called to Bethley who capped the drive on his 6-yard rushing score with 4:17 in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs started to generate a drive of their own on their next possession but it was quickly halted when Daniel Munguia picked off Matt Porras’ pass on the 50-yard line. Two plays later, Bethley took the handoff, bounced to his left and bolted to the house from 43 yards out.
Burbank looked deflated after the long touchdown run that made it a 14-0 game midway through the second quarter. Their struggles continued on their ensuing possession going three and out for the fourth time in the first half.
That quickly changed when the Bulldogs pushed Don Lugo back on their possession, forcing them to punt. Starting their drive at the 7-yard line, Burbank drove the entire field in 13 plays that ended when Porras found wideout Chadz Vang in the back corner of the end zone to bring his team within seven with 3:48 left to play in the second quarter.
Following intermission, both teams came out and traded defensive punches making it difficult for either offense to gain any traction. It wasn’t until the end of third quarter when the Conquistadors extended their lead to 21-7 when Rudy Garcia found Bethley behind his offensive line who set him up for the 63-yard screen pass.
As the rest of the second half played out, Burbank struggled to move the ball. Mostly in part that the offense committed eight penalties including a holding call that nullified a long pass play to Isseah Gonzalez.
Don Lugo closed the door on the Bulldogs when Bethley punched in his third rushing score making it a 28-7 game with 1:56 left in regulation.
With the win, the Conquistadors advance to the CIF-SS Division 7 finals to play El Modena next Friday night.
The Bank is now closed…
@ Baxfast I know that story. Offense was firing on six cylinders the last month of the season .
Penalties killed the Bulldogs all nite. Thats the story of the game. Uninspired play and a lack of urgency by the Bulldogs was the sub-plot. Not taking anything away from Don Lugo, they made plays, but the Bulldogs didnt show up.