Bulldogs hold off the Red Hawks’ final drive after a fourth-quarter defensive stand
Exciting hardly begins to describe Friday night’s game between Burbank and Centennial of Bakersfield. The Bulldogs took the lead on a safety by Troy Wells with 1:22 remaining, then stopped the Red Hawks’ final drive to secure a 23-21 win.
Both teams were looking to rebound from Week 4 losses. Burbank had fallen 23-18 to Birmingham, while Centennial had lost 42-28 to Hanford.
The Red Hawks threatened first. A 40-yard first-down run by Dezion McWilliams moved them into the red zone, but Ronald Gordon intercepted Teddy Williams in the end zone. Burbank turned the takeaway into points when Wells scored on a 5-yard run for a 7-0 lead.
Centennial answered with a touchdown by Drake Jimenez to tie the game at seven after the first quarter. Early in the second, quarterback Damian Corona connected with Gavin Azizan for a 46-yard touchdown. Burbank’s defense kept the Red Hawks scoreless for the rest of the half, sending the Bulldogs into halftime ahead 14-7.
The lead disappeared quickly after the break. On Burbank’s opening possession of the second half, Wells fumbled, and Josiah Grant returned the ball 75 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 14.
Wells responded with an 11-yard touchdown run, his second rushing score of the night, to put Burbank back in front. McWilliams then scored for Centennial, and the teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 21.
With 1:22 left, Wells made the decisive play on defense, recording a safety to give Burbank a 23-21 lead. Centennial got one last chance after the Bulldogs’ ensuing possession, but Burbank’s defense held firm and ended the Red Hawks’ hopes of a winning score.
Burbank improved to 3-3 and will have a bye week before opening Arroyo League play at Monrovia on Friday, October 9, at 7 p.m. Centennial fell to 1-3 and will open Southwest Yosemite River League play against Liberty on Friday, October 2, at 7:30 p.m.
