By Ernie W. Webb III
ALLEN – As good as Burlingame has been over the past decade, the coaching staff still constantly looks for ways to improve. Coming into the 2024 season, the focus was on getting stronger, faster and more physical.
The work that entailed paid off immediately during Friday’s season-opener, as Burlingame (1-0) steamrolled Northern Heights 62-0 in a road game that wasn’t even that close and ended at halftime.
“We created a 225 club T-shirt for anyone who cleaned 225 pounds or more in the past year. We have had nine players achieve that goal,” said Burlingame coach Jeff Slater. “We have tried to improve our team speed with weekly sprint testing in school weights and summer weights. Also, we really put a lot of extra time into the defensive side of the ball this fall camp to try and get comfortable, play fast and physical.”
Under Slater, the Bearcats have reached the playoffs in eight of nine seasons, including four trips to the state semifinals in Eight-Man. After a rare first-round loss in 2023, Burlingame’s goal is to make what has become a customary deep run in the postseason.
After limiting the Wildcats (0-1) to 35 yards on 31 plays and accumulating 249 yards while averaging nearly 11 yards per snap on offense, the Bearcats are off to a good start.
“I believe we saw a lot of benefits from some of the work the kids have put forth this past year,” Slater said. “We really wanted to just open it up tonight and have fun. I think this group really embraces the fun in football.”
Burlingame used a no-huddle offense that overwhelmed Northern Heights from the start. The Bearcats forced a turnover on downs on the first possession of the season and took a 6-0 lead three minutes into the game on J.D. Tyson’s 10-yard keeper. Dane Winters tacked on the two-point conversion on a pass from Tyson.
Burlingame doubled the lead on a 20-yard toss from Tyson to Winters and Brock Moon conversion. By the end of the first quarter, the Bearcats had a 38-0 edge after another touchdown run by Tyson and scoring receptions by Winters and Drake Skirvin.
“The no-huddle was to create chaos for them, but we feel real comfortable in that element and it makes the boys think less and just play,” Slater said.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats never threatened Burlingame’s defense. Northern Heights’ only first down in the opening quarter came on a face mask penalty, and the Wildcats’ second first down didn’t come until late in the second period.
“(Parker) Haid and (Timmy) Roberts are two studs on the edge, and I thought they played really well,” Slater said. “It allowed everyone on the back in to play free.”
The Bearcats led 62-0 just 17 minutes into the game and played backups for nearly the entire final seven minutes.
Tyson had 224 total yards, including 113 through the air on 8-of-9 passing and 111 rushing on six carries. Winters added 80 total yards, including 67 receiving.
BURLINGAME 62, NORTHERN HEIGHTS 0
Burlingame 38 24 X X — 62
Madison 0 0 X X — 0
First Quarter
BHS – JD Tyson 10 run (Dane Winters pass from Tyson)
BHS – Winters 20 pass from Tyson (Brock Moon pass from Tyson)
BHS – Drake Skirvin 19 pass from Tyson (Tyson run)
BHS – Winters 29 pass from Tyson (Tyson run)
BHS – Tyson 55 run (Pass failed)
Second Quarter
BHS – Tyson 1 run (Winters run)
BHS – Timmy Roberts 4 run (Winters pass from Tyson)
BHS – Winters 4 run (Skirvin pass from Tyson)
GAME IN FIGURES
BHS NH
First downs 10 2
Rushes-Yards 14-136 24-23
Passing 8-9-0 4-7-0
Passing yards 113 12
Total yards 249 31
Punts None 3-27.0
Fumbles-lost None 5-2
Penalties 4-30 2-15
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Burlingame: Tyson 6-111, Roberts 2-16, Winters 2-13, Blake Middleton 2-0, Nick Seele 2-(-4). Northern Heights: Cooper Woodrow 8-16, Harlan Badger 13-14, Gabe Beck 2-1, Kelton Bish 1-(-18).
RECEIVING – Burlingame: Winters 4-67, Skirvin 2-30, Roberts 1-8, Moon 1-8. Northern Heights: TJ Dean 2-15, Bish 1-3, Woodrow 1-(-6).
PASSING – Burlingame: Tyson 8-9-0 113. Northern Heights: Woodrow 4-7-0 12.