It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done.
Varsity football’s senior night, celebrating its 12 graduating players, was by no means a perfect game. Despite a slow first three quarters, the Panthers rallied in the fourth, scoring two touchdowns and forcing multiple turnovers to win their final regular-season home game against Capuchino High School, 14-6 on Friday, Oct. 24.
Senior quarterback Nick Armstrong said the “Lights Out”-themed student section created an electric atmosphere.
“It’s exciting as usual, but there’s also that wholesome element to it where you know that everyone’s out here to support the seniors, which is pretty special being a senior and just seeing all these people out here supporting you,” Nick Armstrong said.
The game was scoreless until about halfway through the second quarter, when Capuchino scored a touchdown after a long drive. Late in the first half, Nick Armstrong took several big hits, which kept him hobbled for the rest of the game. The Panthers entered the second half trailing 6-0 and appeared frustrated after a final offensive drive with miscues.
“It was a pretty upsetting environment. We were all mad. The theme again was just do it for the seniors,” Nick Armstrong said. “… And we knew that we could get it done, but we just weren’t putting it out. We weren’t showing it.”
Finally, with about 10 minutes left, Nick Armstrong found junior receiver Will Armstrong for a long touchdown pass, giving the team a 7-6 lead. The Panthers sealed the game with a flea-flicker trick play, with a touchdown pass from Will Armstrong to junior receiver Dylan Black that put them ahead 14-6.
According to head coach John Phillipopoulos, the trick play didn’t go exactly as planned, but he said it ended up being for the best.
“I told Will Armstrong, ‘I don’t care what you see, don’t throw it. Just get the first down,’” Phillipopoulos said. “But in typical fashion, Will didn’t all the way listen, but I’m happy he didn’t. He saw the guy was wide open, he threw it, put it right on the mark, and Dylan Black made a great play.”
Senior Ravi Krishnan said the combination of senior night festivities and the looming chance of making the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs motivated the team.
“Everyone was bringing the energy, everyone felt the need to win,” Krishnan said. “It’s a must-win, not only for the senior night, not only last home game, but it’s for playoff standing as well.”
The story of the game was Burlingame’s defense, which helped keep the Panthers close by forcing a critical fumble early in the fourth quarter and making multiple key defensive stops, including one in the final minutes to help seal the game.
“Our defense is the reason we won the game tonight. No questions asked,” Nick Armstrong said. “They were a rock. They kept it together. Only letting up six points in an entire game is incredible.”
Krishnan said a strong week of practice before the game played a large part in the defense’s success.
“We just drill everything, make sure everything’s clean, moving through it and just staying as physical as possible as long as we can,” Krishnan said.
Reflecting on his time with Burlingame football, Krishnan expressed gratitude for the experience and his love for the team.
“Last time playing in front of this crowd, this band, these families, everybody out in this field, last time doing this is a big deal,” Krishnan said.
Phillipopoulos echoed this sentiment, saying he was proud of the seniors and how far they have come.
“Even at the senior night ceremony and watching our guys, it makes me feel good to see our kids walking with their families, beaming with pride, four years in the program, working hard,” Phillipopoulos said. “I know it means a lot to them, it means a lot to us, so it makes this game a little bit extra special.”
Before their next game, Nick Armstrong said the team has to work on limiting the mental mistakes that hurt the Panthers this game.
“We didn’t have any penalties that were driven by action in the game, but they were all penalties that were mental in some way,” Nick Armstrong said. “They were all technical, rather than actually just playing ball, which is something that we need to work on, is cleaning those things up so we don’t have to worry about them.”
Moving forward, Krishnan said he hopes the team can maintain its momentum for their game against Mountain View High School next Friday, Oct. 31.
“We gotta get all gas, no breaks. Keep going, keep pushing,” Krishnan said. “Can’t let this win slow us down. Can’t get too cocky. Mountain View’s a great team. We gotta go out there and beat them.”
