SATURDAY

Burbank (3-6, 2-3) vs. Lanier (3-6, 3-2) at Wheatley Heights Sports Complex, 7 p.m.

This District 28-4A game is for bragging rights and postseason preparation now.

During the week, the spectre of being a do-or-die shot to make the playoffs loomed over Burbank, but the Bulldogs qualified Friday night without playing a down. Highlands’ loss to Brackenridge punched Burbank’s ticket for its first playoff appearance since 1978.

Lanier qualified last weekend largely because it owned the tiebreaker advantage over prospective challengers Edison and Highlands. The Voks missed the postseason last year, but had been a regular before that.

The Voks are coming off a 23-14 loss to Brackenridge in a battle for second place. Lanier trailed 20-14 at halftime and was within striking range until the last 1:30, when the Eagles made a clinching field goal.

Junior back Joe Orta delivered for the Voks, rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns. The ground game also got a boost from Julian Castillo.

Quarterback Nicholas Garcia threw for a respectable 97 yards and Jacob Munoz recorded 46 reception yards to join consistent targets Rodrigo Garcia and Steven Horton as Lanier receivers to watch. When Garcia is throwing well, the Voks can put points on the board quickly.

Lanier outgained Brack 362-227. It should be noted that the Eagles lost quarterback Ramon Richards to injury during the game, but nonetheless the performance could give it a good infusion of momentum for the final regular-season contest. .

Burbank lost 26-21 to rival Brackenridge Oct. 26 in its last game. The Bulldogs have seemed to have a knack for reinventing themselves in Coach Mark Perez’s second year, so who knows what type of wrinkles the Voks will see Saturday.

J.P. Barrera has been installed at quarterback and threw for 100 yards last week against Brackenridge. Former QB Jeremy Sanchez ran for 132 yards. Marcos Luna caught five passes for 75 yards.

Burbank hasn’t been a high-scoring team, for the most part, so it will want to keep the score manageable.

The Bulldogs allowed 475 total yards to an Eagles offense led by Richards. In their previous game, the Bulldogs limited Edison to 125 yards in a 14-6 loss. That’s the type of defense Burbank will need to secure a win Saturday.

The Voks are at their best when the offensive attack is balanced.

Lanier has a 26-19-1 leads in the series. Although the advantage has evened out over time, the Voks own an 11-game winning streak. Burbank’s last win was in 2001. 2012 score: Lanier 29, Burbank 0.

Edison (3-6, 1-4) vs. Jefferson (0-9, 0-5) at University of the Incarnate Word, 8 p.m.

TommyBowl

The Tommy Bowl also will just be for bragging rights this year, along with final District 28-4A placing. Both teams have been eliminated from playoff consideration.

Edison would end up tied for fifth place if it wins Saturday in the rivalry’s new location at Incarnate Word. If Jefferson picks up its first win of the season, the Mustangs will share sixth place with Edison.

Golden Bears standout running back Andres Aguilar returned from an injury last Saturday in a 35-7 loss to Highlands. Although his 38 rushing yards don’t compare to the numbers he was putting up before the injury, having another week to heal could work wonders.

If healthy, Aguilar’s steady running might singlehandedly tip the scales. Or, at least, give Edison a formidable ground game with the other half of its 1-2 punch,  quarterback Jonathan Hernandez.

Hernandez threw for 250 yards against the Owls. Marcello Zavala made a splash with eight receptions for 81 yards.

When Jefferson’s clicking, the Mustangs can put up big numbers through the air, from quarterback Weston Redding, and on the ground, from back Jesse Flores. Unfortunately, they’ve had a persistent problem with bad snaps and turnovers.

The Mustangs’ defense has shown signs of improvement during the year, but will need to be at its best for Jefferson to finish its season with its first 2013 win.

2012 score: Jefferson 30, Edison 13.