With the win, the Indians (7-2, 6-0 in league) are alone in first place in league. Burroughs can capture the championship next Friday with a victory against Burbank in the annual Big Game.
As for the Falcons (6-2, 4-2) the loss extinguishes their championship hopes.
“We weren’t talking about a championship before now,” Burroughs Coach Keith Knoop. “But I guess we can start talking about it now. We are the only unbeaten team in league, and we just need to take care of business next week.”
Falcons’ Coach Tony Zarrillo said he is hoping his team will bounce back, as it will host Arcadia next week in their regular-season finale.
“I know the guys are going to be disappointed after this one,” he said. “This was a tough one. But kids are resilient, and I’m hoping they will be able to come back from this.”
The pivotal play of the game came in the fourth quarter with Crescenta Valley driving for a touchdown inside the Indians’ 10-yard line. The Burroughs defense held firm, as the Falcons were faced with a fourth-down-and-goal situation from the 1 with 3:27 remaining. Quarterback Kyle Cota took the ball on a quarterback sneak, but he was stuffed just inches from pay dirt by a group that included Steven Escoboza, Garrett Schiavello, Austin Allen and Andrew McKnight.
“Us stopping them on the play isn’t supposed to happen,” Knoop said. “They are so much bigger than we are on the line. I guess we just wanted it more than they did.”
The Crescenta Valley offense received a fine effort from Cota, who took it to the Indians on the ground, gaining 106 yards in 19 carries. He also had a 53-yard touchdown pass to Mike Bako.
Falcons’ running back Harry Pessy was held to just 49 yards in 10 carries.
Burroughs running back Dalton Williams ran for 192 yards in 30 carries with two touchdowns.
The Indians had to play the entire second half without quarterback Lucas Yanez, who left the game after injuring his shoulder.
