It was the first league loss for Burbank (7-2, 5-1 in league), which hasn’t won a league title in 37 years.
Despite what was obviously a heartbreaking loss for Burbank, Coach Hector Valencia said his squad hasn’t given up on its goal of capturing a league crown.
“That is still our focus: to win the league championship,” Valencia said. “This isn’t a group that will get down because of this. They will regroup and we will try and win that league championship.”
Although there is a slight chance the local Bulldogs can secure the outright title, a win next week against Burroughs would guarantee them at least a share of the championship.
Burbank battled back in the second half against Pasadena (5-4, 4-2). When Sam Bethany scored on a six-yard run and Burbank converted a two-point conversion, the locals enjoyed a 41-30 lead with 3:59 left in the third quarter.
But Pasadena crawled back, scoring with 5:55 left in the fourth quarter to make it, 41-38.
After Burbank turned the ball over on downs late in the fourth, Pasadena took over at its own 32-yard line with 1:20 remaining and no timeouts.
On the fifth play of the drive, Pasadena quarterback Aaron Simpson lofted a 45-yard pass toward the end zone that was caught by Andrew Wells for a touchdown.
The loss overshadowed fine performances by Burbank running backs Leo Rodas and Ulises Ochoa. Ochoa had 17 carries for 176 yards and a touchdown. He also returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown. Rodas had 20 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown.
Burbank quarterback Adam Colman had two touchdown passes, one to Bethany and one to Cole Hazlewood.
