Burlingame High defense comes up big in 28-12 win over Half Moon Bay

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Nov 6, 2009 | by Scott Campbell

Burlingame High's dynamic rushing attack has garnered most of the headlines, but coach John Philipopoulos believes it's time the Panthers' defense gets its due.

"Our defense has been outstanding all year long," Philipopoulos said. "(It's been) underrated. Unheralded. And I think tonight, we proved our point."

Burlingame's defense blanketed visiting Half Moon Bay after two quick Cougars touchdowns to anchor a 28-12 victory that leaves the Panthers one win away from the Peninsula Athletic League Ocean Division title. In next week's Little Big Game, Burlingame (7-2, 3- 1 Ocean) visits Ocean co-leader San Mateo (6-3, 3-1) in a showdown for the division's automatic bid to the Central Coast Section playoffs.

Rebounding from a gut-wrenching 21-14 loss to Menlo School a week ago, Burlingame denied Half Moon Bay's hopes of earning at least a share of the Ocean crown. The Cougars (6-3, 3-2) looked poised early in an anticipated battle of powerful running teams but were held scoreless over their final eight possessions in their lowest- scoring effort of the season.

Half Moon Bay went ahead 12-7 on a 38-yard touchdown run from Josh Dunne (92 yards on 14 carries) three plays into the second quarter. But Burlingame's Max Elia returned the ensuing kickoff for an 81-yard TD to swing the momentum for good.

Burlingame's Nic Gutierrez completed all three of his passes, for 23 yards, in a drive late in the first half that culminated in Ilan Lesov's 8-yard TD run and a 21-12 halftime lead.

Lesov (126 yards on 24 carries, two TDs) added a 12-yard TD run with 4:53 left.

Half Moon Bay chewed up plenty of yardage, totaling 347 yards, but couldn't move inside Burlingame's 35 in the second half until the final 2 minutes. That futility negated a solid defensive effort - - the Cougars allowed just 244 yards.

"They beat us up front," Half Moon Bay coach Matt Ballard said. "They stuffed our offense."