Chloe Zavala’s three rushing touchdowns propel the Bears past the Tigers
The John Burroughs Bears earned their first league victory of the season with a convincing 31-6 win over the South Pasadena Tigers, powered by three rushing touchdowns from Chloe Zavala. Burroughs entered the contest following a 6-0 victory over Thousand Oaks in its home opener. For South Pasadena, the matchup marked the first game in the program’s inaugural season.
Jasmine Varela sparked the Burroughs offense on its opening possession with a 47-yard run that set up the game’s first score. Zavala then broke free for a 16-yard touchdown run to give the Bears a 6-0 lead. South Pasadena responded when Ella Go returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at six. Zavala quickly answered with a 66-yard touchdown pass to Geneva Keifer, putting Burroughs ahead 13-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers opened the second quarter by forcing a turnover on downs, allowing them to stay within striking distance. Burroughs soon regained possession when Kathy Larios Ortiz intercepted a pass from Kelsey West.
The interception by Larios Ortiz set up another Bears touchdown, with Zavala scoring on a goal-line run to extend the lead to 19-6. Burroughs carried that 13-point advantage into halftime. Neither team scored during the third quarter, but the Bears pulled away with two touchdowns in the fourth.
Zavala connected with Krystal Villata for a red-zone touchdown to make it 25-6. Zavala then put the game away with her third rushing touchdown, giving Burroughs its final 31-6 advantage. “I thought we did a great job offensively, especially expanding the field,” Burroughs coach Keith Knoop said. “Chloe Zavala did a great job with the deep passes and getting the ball to the short receivers.” Knoop also praised the Bears’ defense, which did not allow an offensive touchdown. South Pasadena’s only points came on Go’s interception return.
Burroughs improved to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in Rio Pacific League play, while South Pasadena fell to 0-1. Both teams return to action Monday, September 14. Burroughs will host La Cañada at 5 p.m., while South Pasadena will host Temple City at 6 p.m.
