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Tag: Thomas Adzhemyan

  • Burbank Wrestling Captures Second Consecutive Rio Hondo League Championship

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    Burbank’s wrestling team honored several members on Senior Night and later the team won the Rio Hondo League title for the second time. (Photo by Rick Assad)

    By Rick Assad

    For the second straight season and in spectacular fashion, the Burbank High wrestling team captured the Rio Hondo League championship on Wednesday night.

    For the record and on Senior Night, the host Bulldogs zipped past the Wildcats 77-4 in the boys division while the girls lost 40-20.

    Some of the seniors included Tyler Huo, who wrestles at 132 pounds, Ronel Hakoupian, who weighs 165 pounds and Thomas Adzhemyan, who hits the mat at 175 pounds. 

    Jonathon O’Brien is Burbank’s first and only head coach and was ecstatic in the victory.

    “The league title belongs to the whole program, not just the boys (technically just the boys but the girls earned it too),” he said. “By winning it means we’re getting ready for the CIF Southern Section dual companionship on Saturday [January 31] at Simi Valley High School. We’ll be ready.”

    Romney De La Rosa is Burbank’s assistant coach and was also pleased with the outcome.

    “Burbank High School’s wrestling program made a statement last night, in just its fourth year. The program has captured the Ro Hondo League championship for the second consecutive season,” he said. “The night was made even more special as the seniors competed in their final home dual in front of friends and family. It’s a fitting send-off for the group that helped build the program from the ground up.”

    Leading the parade for Bulldogs was senior Jayden De La Rosa, who won at 157 pounds after a second period technical fall with forty-one second left. De La Rosa dominated the action first period.

    Before the season began, De La Rosa was ranked 13th in the state at 150 pounds and is now ranked ninth at that weight.

    De La Rosa, who has been on the team for four years, was also hoping to become the school’s state qualifier.

    “It was a more emotional night than usual, as it marked the final home dual match that I was able to coach my son, Jayden De La Rosa. He is preparing to make his run to the state tournament even more meaningful,” the elder De La Rosa explained. “Now, the Bulldogs prepare to compete next week at the individual Rio Hondo League Championship in Monrovia.”

    At 113 pounds, sophomore Kaiden Takeuthi won on a pin with 1:38 left in the third period.

    Senior Tyler Huo (left) and senior Jayden De La Rosa were given keepsakes for their time on the wrestling team. (Photo by Rick Assad)

    Meanwhile, at 120 pounds, sophomore Erwin Bedrcian pulled off a pin with 1:46 remaining in the first period.

    Sophomore Alex Pereira fell at 126 pounds over three periods. Pereira was the aggressor in the first period but tailed off a little bit in the second period and the third period.

    At 132 pounds, sophomore Arayik Vardanyan proved too good as he grabbed an opening period stoppage via a pin with three seconds left.

    Sophomore Gevork Kabalchuzyan won via forfeit at 144 pounds.

    Junior Sevak Arakelyan was a winner at 150 pounds via first-period pin with forty-seven seconds left in the frame.

    At 175 pounds, junior David Antanseyan won by forfeit while junior Andre Takhmasian emerged victorious via forfeit at 190 pounds.

    Senior Albert Airapetian, at 215 pounds, claimed an opening-period stoppage via a pin with 1:22 remaining.

    At 285 pounds, sophomore Evan Der Galstanian won via first-period pin and 1:10 left on the clock.

    At 106 pounds, freshman Nicholas Rostomyan grabbed a win on a forfeit. 

    The girls were paced by junior Austin Desai, who won at 115 pounds via third-period technical fall.

    Sophomore Erika Sarkisian won by decision at 105 pounds and sophomore Bettina Shamiryan claimed a victory via forfeit at 120 pounds.

    At 145 pounds, freshman Natalie Avadian lost by a first-period pin at 1:22.

    Freshman Zoe Gomez won by forfeit at 110 pounds and freshman Katerina Onofriichuk, at 100 pounds, lost after an opening-period pin and forty-three seconds remaining.

    At 125 pounds, freshman Sinned Arguelles lost via decision after three periods.

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    Rick Assad

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  • Wrestling Preview: Burbank Ready For Another Big Season

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    Burbank High’s boys’ and girls’ wrestling team are decorated. (Photo courtesy Jonathon O’Brien)

    By Rick Assad

    It’s the fourth season of Burbank High wrestling and during the first three seasons the program has accumulated a considerable amount of hardware and recognition.

    Senior Jayden De La Rosa is currently ranked 13th in the state at 150 pounds and is hoping to be the program’s first-ever state qualifier.

    Junior Sevak Arakeleyan is another Masters/state hopeful at 157 pounds and senior Albert Airapetian is likewise gunning for those accolades at 215 pounds.

    Arakeleyan and Airapetian had several wins and they numbered 28 for Arakeleyan and 26 for Airepetian.

    Jonathon O’Brien is the Burbank head coach and is ably assisted by Romney De La Rosa and Josue Aguilar.

    O’Brien talked about what the goals are this season.

    “The team goal is to repeat as Rio Hondo League champion and CIF Southern Section Division V dual team champs,” he said. “Last season we lost to Pacifica in the quarterfinals by two matches out of 14 and they went on to win the whole thing. Of the 14 wrestlers we had in that lineup last year, 12 have returned.”

    Senior Jayden De La Rosa is ranked 13th in the state at 150 pounds and looks to be the program’s first-ever state qualifier. (Photo courtesy Jonathon O’Brien)

    O’Brien is also pleased that the number of girls in the program have more than doubled since 2024.

    “The most exciting development is that the girls’ team has exploded in size, jumping from five to 12,” he said. “Their fearless leader will be junior Austin Desai, a captain who lost in the blood round of the CIF Southern Section [round that determines if you go to Masters] last year but is poised for a triumphant return this year at the 110-pound weight class.”

    O’Brien then added: “The other returners hoping for Masters glory are sophomore Erika Sarkisian [110 pounds] and sophomore Natali Sarkuhanyan [155 pounds],” he said.

    The rest of the boys’ squad includes freshman Nicholas Rostomyan at 106 pounds and freshman Roni Manas at 106 pounds.

    At 113 pounds, there are sophomore Kaiden Takeuthi and freshman Artur Babayan.

    Junior Kevin Krikor will compete at 120 pounds as will sophomore Erwin Bedrcian and freshman Simon Kirakosian.

    Sophomore Alex Pereira and freshman Christiano Zambrano will wrestle at 126 pounds.

    At 132 pounds, senior Tyler Huo and sophomore Emmanuel Yegaran will see action.

    Sophomore Arayik Vardanyan and sophomore David Ayvazyan will wrestle at 138 pounds while freshmen Daniel Vartanian and freshman Martin Zakianyan will likewise tangle at 138 pounds.

    Junior Arman Martisoyan and sophomore Gevork Kabakchuzyan will wrestle at 144 pounds.

    Junior Artem Akimov, sophomore David Terjnanian and freshman Matthew Chirinian will wrestle at 150 pounds.

    At 157 pounds, sophomore Hovhannes Mkoyan, freshman Enrique Shajanian and freshman Michael Hayrapetyan will compete.

    Junior Austin Desai wrestles at 110 pounds and is the girls’ captain. (Photo courtesy Jonathon O’Brien)

    Senior Ronel Hakoupian and freshman Davit Sargsyan and freshman Armen Simonian will wrestle at 165 pounds.

    At 175 pounds, senior Thomas Adzhemyan, junior David Antanseyan and freshman Martin Aghabadyan will tussle.

    Junior Andre Takhmasian and freshman Calvin Aghanian will wrestle at 190 pounds and at 215 pounds sophomore Logan Rodriguez will be on the front line.

    Sophomore Evan Der Galstanian will see action at 285 pounds.

    These are the girls on the team and include freshman Katerina Onofriichuk at 100 pounds and freshman Nikki Trujillo at 100 pounds.

    Freshman Zoe Gomez will compete at 110 pounds, sophomore Bettina Shamiryan at 115 pounds, freshman Madison Ries at 115 pounds and freshman Sophia Sirakanian at 115 pounds.

    Freshman Sinned Arguelles will wrestle at 125 pounds and sophomore Lili Movesyan will compete at 130 pounds. Freshman Natalie Avadian will wrestle at 145 pounds.

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    Rick Assad

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  • Burbank Football Starts League With Solid Win Over Crescenta Valley

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    The Burbank High football team opened the Pacific League season like a thoroughbred horse seeking to win the Kentucky Derby.

    While the pace didn’t continue for four quarters, the Bulldogs did enough to earn a 49-28 road victory at Crescenta Valley High.

    Burbank (3-1) will now host Muir next Friday, in what figures to be its toughest test during the regular season.

    “The main thing is we got out of this game with no injuries. We had a lot of injuries to some people who didn’t play today. We’re hoping next week we get a couple of guys back,” Burbank coach Hector Valencia said. 

    The Bulldogs put up 28 points in the first quarter. 

    Deshawn Laporte had another fine effort. He finished 12 of 23 for 242 yards with three touchdowns and just one interception. 

    Receiver Tyler Hudson caught all but two of his passes. Hudson finished with 10 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown.

    Running back Elijah Pendleton had nine carries for 94 yards and a touchdown. Thomas Adzhemyan also turned in a fine effort on the offensive end as he had five carries for 76 yards and a touchdown.

    Pendleton scored the first touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run with 9:38 left in the first quarter.

    Burbank got a break on the ensuing kickoff, jumping on a loose ball on an onsides kick by Ryan Mendoza.

    Laporte and Exodus Freeman hooked up on the first play from scrimmage for a 53-yard touchdown.

    CV (2-1) fought back as quarterback Xavier Thompson surprised Burbank when he hooked up with Nathan Karsten on a 62-yard touchdown pass.

    Burbank responded quickly as Laporte hooked up with Hudson on a 44-yard touchdown with 7:19 left in the first quarter.

    Adzhemyan added a 13-yard touchdown run later in the quarter.

    After Burbank led 28-14 at halftime, Hudson scored on a 6-yard run with 9:12 left in the third quarter to push the advantage to a three-touchdown lead.

    Pendleton later scored on a 3-yard touchdown reception.

    Adzhemyan had a nifty 43-yard touchdown with 11:06 to play for the Bulldogs.

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    Jim Riggio

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  • Burbank’s Second Half Rally Knocks Off Westwood 41-27

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    Burbank’s Deshawn Laporte threw four touchdowns in a 41-27 win over visiting Westwood. (Photo courtesy Doug Brown)

    By Rick Assad

    One week ago, Burbank High’s football team traveled to San Dimas and emerged with a lopsided victory, but there was just one problem.

    A few days later, it was revealed that an ineligible player had participated in the game for the Bulldogs and the win was forfeited.

    On Friday night at Kemp-Kallem Field on the Burbank campus, the Bulldogs used a 27-point second half to tally a convincing 41-27 nonleague triumph over Westwood, which is located in Mesa, Arizona.

    So for the record, this is the initial win of the season for Burbank (1-1).

    Junior quarterback Deshawn Laporte, two-way threat, tossed four touchdown passes with two going to senior wide receiver Exodus Freeman (game-best 152 receiving yards on six catches).

    Laporte also found Freeman with a 31-yard toss and 10:44 left in the fourth quarter for a 41-21 lead.

    “Me and my team executed with a lot of energy and came out with a big win,” said Laporte, who finished on 22 of 47 for 367 yards and had 10 yards on eight rushes.

    Thomas Adzhemyan scored a touchdown in the second half for the Bulldogs against the Warriors. (Photo courtesy Doug Brown)

    Hector Valencia is in his second stint as the Burbank head coach and was impressed.

    “I liked that the team rallied behind each other and about going for it on fourth down,” he said. “The defense looked over and said go for it. We got your back.”

    Valencia knows he has a team that can score points quickly and a defense that rallies to the football.

    “The defense caused some great turnovers with a few interceptions and fumble recoveries,” he said of the four turnovers by Westwood. 

    Valencia also had positive words for Laporte.

    “Deshawn was a little frustrated and being forced out but managed to still get out for some yards but the other team did a great job containing him,” he said.

    The Bulldogs (1-1) led 14-0 after the first quarter on a 10-yard strike from Laporte to senior Chase Miles (61 yards on five catches) with 5:55 and then unloaded a 31-yard bullet to Freeman with 1:53 left.

    The Warriors (0-1) then scored three straight touchdowns as junior running back Keshawn Barkus (154 rushing yards on 21 carries) cut the lead to 14-7 with 6:21 remaining in the second period and came within 14-13 on a 25-yard run by Barkus with 4:05 left.

    When Westwood senior quarterback Elliot Reed (12 of 37 for 125 yards and two interceptions) found senior tight end Preston Leavitt with a 12-yard toss and 38.6 second left before the intermission.

    Burbank takes the field for a nonleague game against Westwood. (Photo courtesy Doug Brown)

    Reed also drilled Leavitte with the two-point conversion pass for a 21-14 lead.

    Laporte evened the game at 21-21 with 9:19 left in the third period on a 41-yard bomb to sophomore wide receiver/cornerback/strong safety Tyler Hudson (108 yards on seven catches).

    Senior running back Thomas Adzhemyan added a six-yard scoring blast with 7:40 left in the third stanza for a 28-21 advantage.

    Senior wide receiver/cornerback Elijah Pendleton (46 yards on four receptions) added a 50-yard scoring run with 5:52 in the third quarter to make it 34-21.

    Reed’s six-yard scoring tally with 9:05 on the clock on the fourth frame sliced Burbank’s lead to 41-27.

    Senior wide receiver/cornerback Noah May-Vaughn and junior tight end/middle linebacker Aiden Dagher each had one interception for the Bulldogs.

    Burbank travels to Reno, Nevada to play a nonleague game next Friday versus Galena.

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    Rick Assad

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  • Burbank Football Is Stellar in Win Over San Dimas

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    (Photo by Xavier Dubon)

    Being great requires beating great teams.

    Friday night the Burbank High football team didn’t just win 56-28 over San Dimas, the Bulldogs did it over a program that hasn’t missed the CIF playoffs in more than two decades.

    In just the season opener, the Bulldogs looked like a well-oiled machine ready for the playoffs.

    “All the preparation that we’ve done, the kids know what they need to do,” Burbank coach Hector Valencia said. “They know how to get open and be in the positions that they need to be in. DeShawn (Laporte) did an outstanding job scrambling. He didn’t take a sack.”

    Although Burbank (1-0) was for the most part in control throughout the contest, San Dimas did not go down easily.

    The turning point in the contest came late in the third quarter when San Dimas threw a pass on a fake punt.

    Burbank’s Chase Miles intercepted that pass and returned the ball to the San Dimas 19-yard-line. At the time Burbank led just 33-28.

    “We were nervous because we were not stopping them at the beginning of the game. We capitalized on a couple of mistakes that they made,” Valencia said. 

    Four plays later Burbank went back in front by two scores when Elijah Pendleton scored on a 11-yard run.

    The Bulldogs then recovered the ensuing kickoff as San Dimas appeared confused as to who was going to handle the kickoff. Burbank’s Adrian Albarran recovered the ball at the 32-yard-line.

    Two plays later, Thoams Adzhemyan scored on a 7-yard run.

    Burbank added a late touchdown when Laporte hooked up with Tyler Hudson on a 2-yard reception. Laporte finished 18 of 26 passing for 319 yards, with five touchdowns and just one interception.

    Pendleton got things started by scoring on a 1-yard run with 5:36 left in the first quarter. 

    San Dimas got back on level terms late in the first quarter on a 4-yard by Liam Loyola.

    Burbank responded less than a minute later as Laporte hooked up with Exodus Freeman on a 40-yard touchdown pass.

    Pendleton scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Laporte early in the second quarter. 

    Later in the quarter Laporte hooked up with Diego Plancarte on a 30-yard touchdown pass.

    Laporte and Freeman connected on a 5-yard touchdown with 8:21 left in the third quarter.

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    Jim Riggio

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  • Burbank Football Preview: Bulldogs Have Unfinished Business

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    Burbank’s football team has unfinished business in 2025 after reaching the CIF Southern Section Division IX quarterfinals last year. (Photo by Xavier Dubon)

    By Rick Assad

    There is unfinished business for the Burbank High football team after finishing 9-3 overall and reaching the CIF Southern Section Division IX quarterfinals a year ago.

    The Bulldogs took on Highland at home and fell 42-28 which snapped a seven-game winning streak which included wins over Burroughs 42-21 in the regular-season finale and 47-42 against host Monrovia in the opening-round of the playoffs.

    Hector Valencia is in his second tour of duty as Burbank’s head coach and expects the team to do well, especially in the Pacific League where the Bulldogs went 6-1 for second place behind Muir.

    “I think the league should be more competitive this year. Coaches are getting more experience, and the new ones have experience,” he said. “Muir should be the favorite with the skills they have coming back but we have quite a few returners ourselves and plan to fight for the championship and we will not shy away from the competition.”

    Having a full team and it being healthy is the key to the season, according to Valencia.

    “We need to stay healthy and get the ball to your playmakers and fly to the ball on defense,” he stated.

    Coincidentally, the Bulldogs will play every game on campus except the season finale versus city rival Burroughs on October 30.

    On September 5, Burbank will travel to Reno, Nevada, to face Galena. All the games on the schedule start at 7 p.m.

    The Bulldogs have a strong offensive arsenal and should be able to compete for the Pacific League championship. (Photo by Xavier Dubon)

    The Bulldogs have several skilled players at key positions including junior quarterback Deshawn Laporte, who accounted for 39 touchdowns after tossing 28 through the air and 11 rushing.

    “My expectation for the team is to win the league, go to the CIF championship and then go to state,” he said. “Expectations for myself are being a leader and leading my team to a CIF championship and more.”

    Senior Elijah Pendleton played wide receiver and cornerback and averaged 50 receiving yards a game and finished with six scoring receptions in 2024

    Pendleton also ran for 73 yards per contest and added seven scoring rushes and also collected two interceptions.

    Sophomore wide receiver Tyler Hudson led the Bulldogs in receiving yards per game with 79.3 and added 11 scoring touchdowns.

    Senior Chase Miles is a wide receiver and a safety and can play anywhere on the field.

    “When it comes to competitiveness, I believe our will is very competitive this year because we still have a lot to prove,” he said. “After losing in the quarterfinals last year to Highland and then watching them win CIF, it made our whole team hungry and ready for this upcoming season.”

    Miles likes the team assembled and believes there is enough talent and potential to go a long way.

    “We still have a lot of returners and have gotten substantially better in the off-season, working out every day to improve ourselves,” he said.

    The season kicks off tomorrow at San Dimas for the Bulldogs and then they host Westwood on August 29. After a bye, Burbank plays at Crescenta Valley on September 19.

    Burbank’s defensive unit likes to swarm and go after the football. (Photo by Xavier Dubon)

    Burbank hosts Muir on September 26 and travels to Arcadia on October 3. The Bulldogs meet Pasadena at home on October 10. On October 17, the Bulldogs hosts Hoover and then make their way to Glendale on October 24.

    The seniors include Exodus Freeman [wide receiver and slot back], William Magee [wide receiver and cornerback], Thomas Adzhemyan [running back and strong safety], Paolo Seltenreich [tight end and defensive end], Johnny Sale [wide receiver, linebacker and safety] and Noah May-Vaughn [wide receiver and cornerback].

    The rest of the seniors are Giordan Lewis [wide receiver and outside linebacker], Ryan Honore [wide receiver and cornerback], Adrian Albarran [defensive back], Ryan Mendoza [kicker], Matthew Winn [offensive line and defensive end], David Saroyan [center, guard and defensive line] and Anthony Torres [offensive line and nose guard].

    The juniors on the team include Giovanni Bernardo, [running back and outside linebacker], Kaylem Valencia [fullback and outside linebacker], Nico Santillan [running back and outside linebacker], Troy Wells [running back and middle linebacker], Aiden Dagher [tight end and middle linebacker], Alan Garcia [wide receiver], Ronald Gordon [wide receiver and cornerback] and Soundwavyve Sayles [defensive end].

    The other juniors are Kordell White [defensive back], Onik Chalkdzhyan [wide receiver and defensive back], Juan Huezo [center, guard and defensive line], Jack Aguilar [offensive and defensive line], Nick Gonzalez [offensive and defensive line], Jehad Altayab [offensive line and nose guard] and Hayk Torgomyan [guard and defensive line].

    The sophomores are Diego Plancarte [wide receiver, cornerback and strong safety], Cassius Maydew [wide receiver and defensive back], Gavin Azizian [wide receiver and defensive back], Marc Naiem [defensive end], Juaquin Ruacho [running back and middle linebacker], Aiden Loveranes [offensive line and defensive end] and Harry Molia [tackle and defensive end].

     

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    Rick Assad

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