VAN NUYS – The Burbank High football team needed every possible second to secure its first win of the year, downing St. Genevieve, 29-26, at Los Angeles Valley College on Friday night.
With the clock reading 0:00 but the game extended one play because of a defensive penalty, junior place kicker Ryan Mendoza kicked the game-winning field goal for the Bulldogs (1-1).
“He’s a guy who had struggled a lot bit at kicker but got his chance tonight and made it,” said Burbank coach Hector Valencia. “What an awesome win. I’m just proud of these kids tonight.”
The kick was necessary after the Valiants put together a fourth-quarter comeback, tying the game when Michael Wynn tossed a fourth-and-long pass into Samar Varela’s outstretched hands for a touchdown. The junior quarterback tacked on a two-point attempt to tie it at 26.
The Valiants (1-1) got a pair of rushing touchdowns from Jaylin Burt, who finished with 96 yards on 17 rushes. He also added an interception return for a touchdown in the loss.
The Bulldogs’ night could be summed up by a two-play sequence in the second quarter.
A Valiants punt sailed over the head of would-be Bulldog return man Elijah Pendleton then took a good bounce for St. Genevieve before settling inside the 15-yard line. Multiple personal foul penalties pushed Burbank all the way to its own 3.
On the next snap, Pendleton ripped through the line of scrimmage, cut back around a defender and was off to the races for a 97-yard touchdown.
“He’s a kid we have to keep on the field,” said Valencia. “He does it all, and tonight he just did what he does. We know we have to get the ball to him at least a certain number of times.”
He finished the night with 122 rushing yards and had nine catches for 100 yards, including a second-half score.
He also piled up more than 100 return yards, including the all-important 65-yard punt return in the final minute to set up Mendoza’s walk-off field goal.
“Elijah had a phenomenal game,” said Valencia. “He helped out on special teams, offense and defense. He had to fill in for our running back tonight, and he played well in a spot he’s not normally in.”
Sophomore Deshawne Laporte started at quarterback for Burbank, showing impressive poise in his first varsity start. Laporte was especially impressive on the game’s opening drive. He completed six of seven passes for 78 yards, overcame a trio of penalties that wiped out first downs, and capped the drive with a 14-yard touchdown strike where only Bulldogs receiver Exodus Freeman could possibly pull in the pass.
“He’s comfortable in the pocket,” said Valencia. “He’s comfortable scrambling. He just doesn’t panic. He does a nice job of finding people downfield to connect with.”
Patrick Kchachatyran had Burbank’s other score, scoring on a 3-yard run.
