[ad_1]
In the conversion play that decided the football game, the Burlingame High running back was hit hard at the goal line, but the blow was neither strong enough nor early enough to make the difference for Sacred Heart. Prep in his 22-21 loss on Friday night. .
The Gators gave up a touchdown and a two-point conversion with 14 seconds left to retire the Bay Division opener of the Peninsula Athletic League. It was their fourth straight loss – each by one touchdown or less.
Here’s how it was decided:
SHP used two explosive plays and solid practice to score his three touchdowns, taking their first lead in the first minute of the second half when Zach Freire caught a swing pass and ran to the field for a score of 78 yards and a 21-14 lead.
However, the Gators failed to secure a first down for the remainder of the game, giving Burlingame chance after chance and forcing the SHP defense to win big on several occasions. At one point, however, there was little the Gators could parry. Burlingame had five unsuccessful possessions after that SHP touchdown, but the sixth was the charm.
Taking possession of his 45-yard line with 3:28 to go, the Panthers (5-0, 1-0) headed to SHP 9 for a first down with less than a minute to go. SHP hit Burlingame for a 2-yard loss, and cornerback Carter Shaw made a pass into the end zone with his left hand and defended an incomplete pass, also in the end zone.
That left Burlingame with a fourth and a goal at 11 and with just 20 seconds left. This time the Panthers have moved away from Shaw.
“It’s wise,” said SHP coach Mark Grieb.
Burlingame’s QB Ryan Kall hit Charlie Koch on a fast slope for the touchdown, with just 14 seconds left.
“We were in the zone, that’s what we played the whole game,” Grieb said. “I just finished a little too soft on that right side.”
Not wanting to play for a tie, the Panthers went for two. SHP had a pearl on running back Elijah La Guardia, but the game was whistled because the Gators had too many men on the pitch. With the ball moved to 1 ½, Burlingame went to La Guardia in the middle. A hit on the goal line was not enough. He was in it.
Victory in Burlingame.
“We gave them too many opportunities,” said Grieb. “It’s tough because this team has come a long way and even though it’s another close game that we’ve lost, we’re improving. It’s just a shame we didn’t see that end result on the dashboard.
“” I should put words on it. I know the guys are disappointed. “
Burlingame, who is playing his fifth home game to open this season and his ninth consecutive home game overall, moved the ball early, enjoying a 46-yard pass to La Guardia before serving him the ball for a score. one meter.
But SHP responded immediately to tie the score, 7-7, when Freire, on a running back option, hit a wide-open Shaw on the straight sideline for 80 yards.
“It was our first time doing it this year,” Grieb said. “They are so aggressive on the outside that we felt like we could take advantage of them. It worked.”
The touchdown not only stabilized the Gators, it was the biggest of a game full of highlights for Shaw. The junior, a second-year starter at the cornerback position, recovered a fumble deep into SHP territory late in the fourth quarter to give the SHP a solid shot at the win. But the Gators were unable to move the chains and use the clock, allowing Burlingame one more chance.
“He is an exceptional football player,” said Grieb. “On both sides of the ball. His effort is really exceptional. We put Carter on top of the other team’s best player. Carter did a great job and seized the opportunity. I’m proud of him.”
SHP returns home for the first time since his first match, when he faces Terra Nova next weekend in a PAL Bay contest. Maybe Grieb will finally see the result his team have been so close to achieving.
[ad_2]
Source link