By Eric Terrazas

Staff Writer

411whittier.com

WHITTIER – La Serna High School launched its postseason journey on a very impressive note on Friday, Nov. 15 as it posted a dominating 55-7 victory over Burbank’s Burroughs High School in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division.

The Del Rio League champion Lancers, who hosted the game at California High, took control instantly by scoring 27 points in the first quarter. With the win, La Serna (9-2) advances to a second-round matchup at Dimaond Bar (7-4), which defeated defending CIF-SS Southeast Division champion Downey 63-29 in its first-round match. The kickoff for the Friday, Nov. 22 game is tentatively scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Senior quarterback Frankie Palmer gave the Lancers a quick 7-0 lead when he scored on a 61-yard run that came on La Serna’s opening possession.

After senior defensive lineman Aaron Gomez recovered a Burroughs fumble at the Indians’ 6-yard line, the Lancers went right back to work and grabbed a 14-0 advantage on junior running back Bryce Oliver’s 1-yard touchdown run.

La Serna kept up its dominating surge and went on to take a 41-0 lead by scoring on its first six possessions.

Palmer then put La Serna ahead 21-0 when he threw a 6-yard scoring pass to senior wide receiver D’Andre Sanchez. Junior running back Kevin Ramos followed with a 1-yard touchdown run, which closed the first-quarter scoring.

After Palmer’s 31-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Curtis Ashton, the Lancers defense delivered when senior defensive back Johnny Salazar intercepted a Burroughs pass and returned it 48 yards to the Indians’ 18-yard line.

Palmer then made Burroughs pay by scoring on a 18-yard run on a first-down play, which ended the first-half scoring.

Sophomore running back Anthony Garcia’s 32-yard run and junior running back Cameron James’ 6-yard run provided the second-half scoring for the Lancers.

Palmer completed eight of 13 attempts for 125 yards and two scores, and also rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns on only three carries.

Following is a roundup of other CIF-SS Southeast Division games that featured area teams:

SANTA FE 31, DIAMOND RANCH 28

Santa Fe (7-4), the Del Rio League’s third-place team, pulled off a big upset by stunning Hacienda League champion Diamond Ranch (9-2) on Friday, Nov. 15.

The victorious Chiefs will face Burbank in a second-round game scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 at Downey High. Burbank (9-2), the Pacific League’s second-place team, is coming off a 49-14 first-round win over Mayfair.

Chiefs junior quarterback Christian Lara accounted for four touchdowns, completing 22 of 30 attempts for 264 yards and three touchdowns and also running for 62 yards and a score.

DOMINGUEZ 41, EL RANCHO 0

El Rancho’s 2013 football season ended with a first-round defeat at Dominguez (8-3) on Friday, Nov. 15.

The Dons, who took second place in the Del Rio League, finished with an overall record of 6-5.

@411whittierspts