Varsity flag football triumphed over Terra Nova High School with a record-breaking 51-6 win — the team’s largest margin of victory yet — on Wednesday, Oct. 3. The win improved the Panthers record to 4-1 in the Peninsula Athletic League.

Burlingame came out aggressive on offense, spearheaded by a trio of quarterbacks: seniors Anya Ardito, co-captain Miranda Sibley, and junior Kendall Gorshen. Senior co-captain Naomi Leslie scored the first touchdown with a follow-up two-point conversion from senior Giana Johnson. By the end of the first quarter, the Panthers had already built up a significant 28-point lead — a clear result of their offensive improvements since their inaugural year.

“We scored a lot of points, and I think we had very good content with the quarterbacks and the receivers,” Leslie said. “Some highlights were probably the catches in the end zones, because they were all really high throws that were near other players, and we [pulled] certain ones off that sometimes we wouldn’t catch.”

The team’s defense remained unshakably intact, allowing Terra Nova to score just a single touchdown throughout the entire game, including an interception during the Tigers’ two-point conversion attempt. The squad’s defensive success is largely credited to a strategic shift towards man-to-man defense, rather than the usual zone.

Undoubtedly, there are other factors contributing to the Panthers’ success on the field this season. According to head coach Nicole Carter, a more compact team with athletes playing both offense and defense has been a game-changer.

“Keeping our team smaller has been the best call that we made, allowing them to get comfortable on both sides of the ball,” Carter said. “It just makes them stronger and [helps them] understand the full game.”

The substantial offensive edge the Panthers developed early in the game created opportunities for experienced players to switch up their positions on the field. Learning to both pull flags and catch allows for more flexibility and variety during plays and improved coordination between teammates.

“Last year, especially since we only played certain sides of the ball, it was very separated between defense and offense,” Leslie said. “This year, we’re definitely a lot more of a team, and we’re a lot more [cohesive]. We all play together, we all switch off, and I think it’s helped our team bond in a way that’s made us better connected.”

Additionally, Carter’s focus on empowering her players has encouraged many to step into leadership roles on the field, guiding their peers in strategy and understanding the game.

“They’re doing a lot of the observations and sharing stuff out whereas I’m [beginning] to step back a little bit,” Carter said. “They’re just becoming so aware, they’re communicating so much more now, and I love it — you’re definitely seeing sisterhood and teamwork in action.”

After a 12-0 loss to Mills High School coming into the game against the Tigers, the Panthers’ win against Terra Nova revitalized their momentum in both gameplay and spirit. The team aims to extend its winning streak when they take on Capuchino High School on their home field on Monday, Oct. 7.

“I have a pretty good feeling that we can keep a good rush and have [the last game] be the only loss throughout the season,” Leslie said. “Personally, I see really good, positive scores in the future games.”