BURBANK — It was a productive 2008 football season for the three area programs.
While no teams were able to win league championships, Burroughs, Burbank and Bellarmine-Jefferson highs were all able to qualify for the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
In addition, the Bulldogs and Guards overcame some long standing droughts, as each won their opening playoff contests.
If the three hope to find success during the 2009 campaign, they will have to get by some tough opponents.
Although the season isn’t set to begin for more than two months, the schedules have been released and the locals know what their up against.
Burroughs (7-4) placed third in the Pacific League and lost in the first round of the Southeast Division playoffs to Rowland, 22-21.
Nothing has changed with Burroughs nonleague schedule, as it will play the same three opponents as last season before embarking in its seven-game league campaign.
The Indians will open 2009 on the road Sept. 11 against Schurr (7-4 last season) and follow that with a game Sept. 18 at South Torrance (5-6). Their nonleague play concludes Sept. 25 at Memorial Field with their annual clash against St. Francis (6-5).
Burroughs, under Coach Keith Knoop, begins league competition at home Oct. 2 against reigning champion Muir.
Burbank (6-6) placed fourth in the Pacific League and pulled off a major upset in the first round of the Southeast playoffs, defeating No. 2 Santa Fe, 20-14. It was the Bulldogs first CIF win in 81 years. The Bulldogs fell in the second round to West Covina, 49-28.
The Bulldogs — who will play three nonleague teams with a combined 9-22 record — will open its season Sept. 4 in a Zero Week game on the road against Simi Valley (2-8). They will then take on host Chaminade (2-9) on Sept. 11.
Burbank did take Torrance — a team it lost to last season, 35-0 — off of its schedule and will instead play San Gabriel (5-6) on Sept. 17 at Memorial Field.
The Bulldogs start Pacific League play Oct. 2 against Crescenta Valley at Glendale High.
Burbank will be playing for first-year Coach Hector Valencia, who took over for Ted Amorosi, who resigned after two seasons.
Bell-Jeff (8-4) had the best record among the city’s teams and enjoyed the highest league placement, as it finished second in the Santa Fe League.
In addition, Coach Rolando Aguirre’s squad advanced to the playoff quarterfinals of the Northeast Division. The Guards defeated Fairmont Prep, 28-21, to earn their first postseason win in more than 50 years. Bell-Jeff fell in the quarterfinals to Linfield Christian, 26-0.
Playing in a five-team league, the Guards will have five nonleague contests against some outlying schools. All of the five nonleague teams are schools the Guards took on last season.
Bell-Jeff will open with a big test Sept. 4 in a Zero Week game. It will take on host Saddleback Valley Christian (10-1), a team it fell to last season, 6-0.
The Guards will then take on Mountain View (2-8) on Sept. 11 on the road, face Malibu (6-4) on Sept. 19 at Memorial Field, take on Frazier Mountain (4-6) Sept. 26 at Memorial Field and play Silver Valley (7-5) on Oct. 10 at Memorial Field.
Bell-Jeff will begin Santa Fe League play Oct. 17 against St. Genevieve at Memorial Field.
