HS FOOT: Burbank on the brink

Burbank High opened its doors in 1915 and has yet to win a football title, but the Bulldogs are as close as they've ever been. According to school historians, Burbank (9-2) has never qualified for a semifinal, so a victory Friday in the Southern Section Southeast Division quarterfinals would be a monumental one at California of Whittier (8-2-1).

"We had done a lot of research about this for our centennial celebration," coach Hector Valencia said. "Another win would be really good for our program."

Burbank's best days could lie ahead. Its three top players, quarterback Adam Colman, running back Ulises Ochoa and linebacker Ryan Seidler, are juniors.

Colman has completed 57.9 percent of his passes for 1,679 yards and 23 touchdowns, Ochoa has rushed for a school-record 1,288 yards and scored 15 touchdowns, and Seidler has broken his own school record with 145 tackles.

-- Gerry Gittelson