Two interception returns for touchdowns fuel the Tigers’ victory on a night honoring Burroughs’ athletic legacies.
The South Pasadena Tigers delivered a commanding performance in their Boulder League opener, defeating the John Burroughs Bears 42-7 behind a defense that returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
South Pasadena scored 21 unanswered points in the first quarter and never relinquished control, spoiling a celebratory evening at Burroughs that began with the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The Tigers entered the matchup following a bye week, having defeated Franklin 49-13 in their previous game. Burroughs, meanwhile, had not played since its thrilling 28-23 victory over Arroyo in week three. The Bears had two weeks without a game, including a canceled league matchup against Pasadena that resulted in a forfeit victory. Pasadena’s football program forfeited the remainder of its season amid low player participation, transfers, and injuries.
Tigers Take Control Early
Evan Hyun opened the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run, giving South Pasadena an early advantage. Toshio Matsuoka followed with a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown before Cody Robinson connected with Grayson Ebner on a 30-yard scoring pass. By the end of the first quarter, the Tigers held a 21-0 lead.
South Pasadena added to its advantage in the second quarter when Andrew Nott found Julian Barnes for a 19-yard touchdown, sending the Tigers into halftime ahead 28-0. The Tigers continued their surge after the break. Cruz Navarro scored on a 10-yard run, and Campbell Carrey returned an interception 20 yards for another touchdown, extending the lead to 42-0.
Burroughs broke through later in the third quarter when Troy Acosta scored on a four-yard touchdown run. The score brought the Bears within 42-7, which stood as the final after a scoreless fourth quarter.
Burroughs Honors Valle and Knoop
Before kickoff, Burroughs celebrated two members of its athletic community during an Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony in Brian Hurst Gymnasium. Retired athletic director Jose Valle and current principal Kenny Knoop were inducted, recognizing their contributions as student athletes, coaches and educators.
The annual ceremony returned last year with the induction of former tennis coach Roy Bernhardt and soccer and softball coach Louie Binda.
A 1983 Burroughs graduate, Valle built a career that spanned through the classroom, the playing field, and athletic administration. He taught physical education and health for 27 years and became the school’s second longest-serving athletic director.
As Burroughs’ baseball coach from 1994 through 2002, Valle guided the program to the 1997 Foothill League championship—its first league title in 38 years—and earned Los Angeles Times Coach of the Year honors that season.
His success extended to softball, where he coached for two seasons and led Burroughs to the 2010 Pacific League championship, the program’s first league title in 23 years. Valle also served alongside Marty Garrison and Keith Knoop as co-athletic director. Now retired, he is enjoying the beaches in his home in Redondo Beach.
Kenny Knoop, a 1995 Burroughs graduate now in his fourth year as principal, was a three-sport athlete who competed in football, basketball, and track. As a senior, he received the Mike Torres Award, recognizing the school’s top multisport athlete. He also earned first-team all-Foothill League honors and competed in the 100-meter dash. Beyond athletics, he was active in the Associated Student Body.
Kenny became the third member of his family inducted into the Burroughs Athletic Hall of Fame, joining his older brother, Keith, and older sister, Karin. After graduating from Fresno State, Knoop returned to his alma mater as a campus supervisor and football coach. He spent 16 seasons as the varsity football team’s defensive coordinator, coaching alongside his brother Keith.
Kenny taught physical education at Jordan Middle School from 2006 to 2013 before moving into administration. At Burroughs, he held assistant principal roles overseeing athletics and activities, as well as guidance and special education. He later served as principal of Dolores Huerta Middle School before returning to lead Burroughs. Kenny and his wife, Nicole, a paraeducator at Burroughs, have a daughter, Kennedy, who is a fifth grader at Edison Elementary School.
Looking Ahead
Burroughs falls to 2-4 overall, and 1-1 in Boulder League play, while South Pasadena improves to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in league competition.
Both teams return to action Friday, October 9. Burroughs will host Gabrielino, with Senior Night festivities before kickoff honoring members of the Class of 2027 from the football, cheer, and marching band programs.South Pasadena will host Crescenta Valley. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
