Bulldogs suffer their first home loss of the season
The Birmingham Patriots held off a late comeback attempt by the Burbank Bulldogs to secure a narrow 23-18 victory and earn their first win of the season. The loss was Burbank’s first at home this year.Burbank entered the contest following a come-from-behind, 22-15 victory over Golden Valley, while Birmingham was looking to rebound from a 27-17 loss to Calabasas.
The Patriots received the opening kickoff and quickly capitalized when Daniel Kakooza connected with Paul Turner for the game’s first touchdown, giving Birmingham an early 7-0 lead. Braylen Morgan later scored on a one-yard run at the goal line to extend the Patriots’ advantage to 13-0.
Neither team scored during the second quarter. Birmingham delivered one of the game’s biggest defensive plays when it forced a fumble on fourth-and-one in the red zone. Ray Worthen recovered the ball, ending a promising Burbank scoring opportunity and preserving the Patriots’ 13-point halftime lead.
Birmingham’s defense forced a three-and-out on Burbank’s opening possession of the second half, setting up another scoring opportunity for the Patriots. Exavier Johnson then connected with Turner for a 24-yard touchdown, extending Birmingham’s lead to 20-0.
After being held scoreless throughout the first half, the Bulldogs finally broke through when Troy Wells scored on a short goal-line run. The missed extra-point attempt left Birmingham ahead 20-6 at the end of the third quarter. Wells found the end zone again on another goal-line run early in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 20-12. However, another missed extra point prevented the Bulldogs from pulling within seven.
The Patriots responded by controlling the clock on their next possession. Dante Dilloretto capped the drive with a 27-yard field goal, increasing Birmingham’s lead to 23-12. Needing two scores to complete another comeback, Burbank kept its hopes alive when Damian Corona connected with Diego Plancarte for a 25-yard touchdown.
The Bulldogs failed on the ensuing two-point conversion, leaving the score at 23-18. Burbank then attempted an onside kick, but the Bulldogs’ special teams unit was unable to recover it, allowing Birmingham to run out the clock and secure the victory.
Burbank falls to 2-3, while Birmingham improves to 1-3 with its first win of the season. Both teams return to action Friday, September 25. Birmingham will host Harvard-Westlake, while Burbank will welcome Centennial of Bakersfield. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
