When varsity football (1-2) was on the field for its non-league matchup against Arroyo High School (1-2), it was nearly impossible to tell that they had been routed by 37 points just a week earlier or had started the season by blowing a 16-point lead to a Capuchino team that hadn’t beaten the Panthers in almost two decades. 

Burlingame rebounded from the disappointing losses in dominant fashion, trouncing the Dons 54-30 for their first win of the regular season on Friday, Sept. 8. 

“The [losses were] tough,” head coach John Philipopoulos said. “We had a little bit of a hangover there. I think we’ve responded and that was evident this week, so we just got to keep building on that.”

Coming into the game, there was a sense of urgency, both on the sidelines and in the crowd — and the Panthers responded, asserting their dominance from the opening kickoff. 

On their first offensive possession, senior quarterback Eddie Gill, facing pressure from Arroyo’s defensive line, found senior running back Cole Quilici for a 49-yard touchdown pass to open the scoring. 

That would be a harbinger for things to come offensively. 

Later in the first quarter, the Panthers leaned on their rushing attack, led by senior back Angelo Medina, who capped off a lengthy drive with a four-yard score. 

“When I scored it was such a gritty, gritty run, and it just felt good,” Medina said.

Burlingame’s defense was also firing on all cylinders in the first half, overwhelming Arroyo’s offensive line and forcing turnovers. 

But it was the Panther’s success throwing the ball that blew the game open.

In the second quarter, junior Jake Flood caught a touchdown pass to give Burlingame a 21-point advantage. On the ensuing possession, Gill connected with senior tight end Zach Shapiro for 38 yards and his first touchdown reception of the season. 

“[Zach], he’s a difference-maker for us,” Philipopoulos said. “He’s one of the best players on the team and a premier player in our league.”

Just over a minute later, Gill found junior Luke Dimech streaking down the middle of the field for a 62-yard touchdown pass to close out the first half leading 34-0.

The offensive onslaught was a welcome sight for a Panthers team that had struggled to score points as of late, putting up just three in the previous six quarters and getting outscored 57-3 in that span. 

“Offensively we played well,” Philipopoulos said. “Our offensive line came together. A lot of guys stepped up today.”

The Dons fought back, scoring four touchdowns in the second half, but the deficit was insurmountable and the Panthers continued to find success on the ground, with Dimech, junior Lucas Kirk and Quilici finding the endzone once more. Qulici’s 89-yard score, his second touchdown of the game, fired up the players and coaches as they sprinted down the sideline with those on the field. 

“It was a great team win when you know the line was doing their part, while the running backs were blocking [well],” Medina said. “It was just a great all-around effort.” 

Philipopoulos emphasized that the squad could have finished the game better and there was plenty of room for improvement. Nevertheless, the game offered signs of encouragement up and down the roster. 

“We just got to keep working on consistency and working hard and practicing well and we’ve got to make sure that we’re staying healthy,” Philipopoulos said.

As the Panthers enjoyed a non-competitive second half, knowing the victory was already secured, there was a sense of relief and energy on the field. 

“It’s good to come out here and get our first victory and play well, but I would have liked to see the game end a little better,” Philipopoulos said. “We needed to get to 1-2 and more importantly, now we got to get to 2-2 heading into the bye [week], so it’s a big boost and we’re looking forward to next week.” 

This Friday, Sept. 15, Burlingame will take on Half Moon Bay High School, looking to build on their momentum and secure that critical second win. Medina, for one, is optimistic about the squad’s development as league play draws closer. 

“It’s a learning experience,” Medina said. “We’re all young men, and we’re all just learning from everything that happens, wins or losses. [We’re] always supporting each other. We all go a long way, it’s like a family out here. No other place I’d rather be.”