For thirteen years, varsity football was untouchable in the Little Big Game. The coveted “Paw” sat firmly in Burlingame’s trophy cabinet for more than a decade, and it seemed the game’s prize might never reach San Mateo’s campus again. Now, the Bearcats are ensuring that Burlingame’s winning streak — the longest in the rivalry’s storied history — is a trend of the past.
Following their upset win in last year’s Little Big Game, which ended Burlingame’s run of dominance, the Bearcats returned as the road team and thoroughly dismantled the Panthers, completing a decisive 35-10 victory on Saturday, Nov. 9.
“We knew San Mateo was a good football team, but to lose in the fashion that we did, I certainly wasn’t expecting that,” head coach John Philipopoulous said.
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Sophomore tight end David Parrot catches a pass during warmups moments before the start of the Little Big Game.
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Senior quarterback Luke Levitt threw for 104 yards and a touchdown during the panther’s 35-10 loss against San Mateo.
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Senior wide receiver Jake Flood, the Panther’s leading receiver, stiff arms a defender.
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The Panthers run out on the field to start the second half, trailing 14-3.
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Junior kicker Dylan Rossen went 2/2 on kicks throughout the night, making a 36-yard field goal, and a PAT attempt.
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The Panthers huddle around their head coach, John Philipopoulous, after their disappointing defeat to San Mateo High School.
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Senior running back Luke Dimech is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.
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Senior running back Lucas Kirk jukes out a defender during his 103 yard performance.
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The Panthers struggled on the ground on both sides of the ball, unable to get consistent production on offense and failing to stop the run on defense. The Panther’s rushing offense was stifled, as despite an impressive 103 yards on the ground from senior Lucas Kirk, the team scored zero rushing touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, San Mateo’s rushing attack tore through the Panther defense, with running back Emmanuel Fitzgerald running for 247 yards and three touchdowns. The Bearcats were so dominant on the ground that they didn’t attempt a single pass — a strategy the Panthers could have seen coming, considering San Mateo completed just one pass in last year’s Little Big Game.
Despite the loss, the home crowd created an electric atmosphere. The cheer squad and marching band performed spirited routines, the student section turned out in force, and Burlingame’s leadership decorated the stands to heighten the game-day excitement.
“[The atmosphere] adds so much, especially before the game,” junior quarterback Nick Armstrong said. “Walking out here, you see all the posters on the walls, and it’s just a special atmosphere.”
Due to their strong 6-4 regular season record, the Panthers have already clinched themselves a spot in the Division Three Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs. But after two consecutive losses to Capuchino High School and San Mateo, the team has to recover physically and emotionally in a short week before their matchup against North Salinas at home on Friday, Nov. 15.
“We have to go all in on one more game,” Armstrong said. “We gotta get the win next week, and we really need to come together as a unit.”
