Menlo-Atherton sealed its homecoming victory against Burlingame, 28-21, Friday night in front of a packed stadium that was laden with festivities and tradition.
With M-A up 21-14 and 2:23 remaining in the game, safety Talaiasi “Tasi” Teu intercepted a pass and broke seven tackles on a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown.
“I felt really good about that last play,” Teu said. “It was a good feeling to get this win, but we have to make sure that we finish all our drives.”
The M-A Bears jumped out in front when wide receiver Evan Perkins caught a pass from quarterback Royce Branning with 6:47 left in the first quarter. Branning went 7-for-15 for 100 yards and threw two interceptions, but the Bears’ strong running game split between Teu and offensive linebacker Alan Sakalia secured the win for M-A (4-2 overall, 2-0 PAL-Bay).
“It was a good win -- it was fun,” Menlo-Atherton coach Sione Taufoou said. “We ran well and we just played well together, but we just need to finish our drives.”
M-A was up 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, but Burlingame (0-2, 2-4) came right back with a 65-yard run for a touchdown to bring the Panthers within seven, and then shut down the Bears twice within 30 yards of the end zone to keep the score at 14-7 at the half.
Even after Teu made his magical play to put the Bears ahead 28-14, Burlingame came right back on a 74-yard drive to cut the Panthers' deficit to seven points again with 19 seconds left in the game.
But the Panthers were unable to ruin M-A's homecoming party as the Bears recovered the predictable onside kick.
It was the second time in a row that M-A has had to rely on its defense to secure the win. Just last week, it was Evan Perkins who made the interception to clinch the Bears’ win against Aragon. The only difference this week is that Teu was the hero, and that M-A will have an even better homecoming.
“This game today was too close,” Teu said. “We’ll go back to work (Saturday) morning, but we’re excited that we won this game in front of the big crowd.”
Next week, Menlo-Atherton will take on a scrappy Half Moon Bay team, while Burlingame meets Terra Nova.
