BURLINGAME, CA - The Burlingame Panthers combined 473 yards of total offense with airtight defense to beat visiting Aragon, 21-7, in the first round of the Division III CCS playoffs. The loss ends the season for the Dons.
Burlingame (10-1) was able to move the ball effectively through the air all game. Senior quarterback Avery Gindraux completed 10 of 15 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Six of the completions were for more than 20 yards, including a 78-yard pass to senior running back Griffin Intrieri.
“Traditionally, we’re a pretty strong running team, and I think Aragon was committing most of their guys to the box, which opened some things up down the field,” said Burlingame head coach John Philipopoulos.
“There was some miscommunication and some missed assignments in the secondary,” Aragon coach Steve Sell said. “But that was uncharacteristic of them. They’ve been great — probably one of the best secondaries we’ve ever had at this school.”
Intrieri was explosive both as a rusher and a pass catcher early in the game, but left in the third quarter with an injury and did not return. He had 201 yards from scrimmage before that point, and had scored two of the Panthers touchdowns.
“He’s a little banged up, but something tells me that by the time Friday rolls around he’ll be ready to go," Philipopoulos said.
Gindraux was helped not only by Intrieri, but also by his brother, junior wide receiver Cooper Gindraux. He had three receptions for 72 yards in the game.
“It’s the kind of chemistry you can’t get anywhere else,” the older Gindraux said. “I’ve been playing football and sports with him for my whole life. I have a lot of time to talk to him, and it’s something you just can’t find anywhere else.”
On defense, the Panthers went almost the entire game without allowing a score, but the Dons scored in the final minute of the game.
“Our defense played great,” Avery Gindraux said. “We were a little clumsy on offense, and that could have come back to hurt us but our defense played amazing football.”
“I’m proud of the defensive effort,” Philipopoulos added. “I just feel like we were in control of the game for four quarters. I’m not sure if the score is indicative of that, but I think the play was. We just have to make a few minor adjustments, clean some things up and we’ll be ready to roll.”
After not having a problem most of the season Aragon (9-2)struggled to move the ball on the ground. Sophomore running back V.A. Wilson had 52 yards on just 13 carries, after running for 138 yards on 25 carries in last week’s loss to Hillsdale.
“Sometimes when you see a lot of pressure, as much as you tell him ‘Run here. Do this.' It’s experience,” said Sell. “I think he was trying to make a play and find an opening, and it’s hard to do when the holes are small.”
Senior quarterback Billy Mason spent most of the game under heavy pressure by the Panther defense. Mason was sacked three times and threw lots of passes away. He finished 14 of 26 for 135 yards and one touchdown plus an interception.
Burlingame now travels to Aptos next Friday night to take on the Mariners in the Division III semifinals. Aptos (10-1) was a 50-3 winner over Branham.
