By Ernie W. Webb III
MELVERN – You learn things walking the sidelines during a game that you’d never know watching from the stands or on TV. Sometimes, it’s a conversation between coaches and players. Other times, it’s subtle play by a kid who gets little recognition.
While there’s not a ton to cull from Friday’s opener in Melvern, where Burlingame demolished outmanned Marais des Cygnes Valley 46-0 in a game that ended at halftime, a couple of things were very apparent: One, the Bearcats no longer rebuild. They reload. Two, they’ve got great chemistry.
With the game well in hand late in the first half, Burlingame’s second-team took the field. On the unit’s first play, senior linebacker Branden Taylor jumped in front of a Trojan receiver and wrestled the ball away from him for an interception. The Bearcats’ sideline erupted more than it had all night, jacked to see their teammate make a big play.
“The seniors on this team have that sense of urgency that this is the last year for them, and they really bought in,” said Burlingame coach Jeff Slater, now 66-18 in eight-plus seasons. “You combine that with a sophomore class that’s also taken it to another level … the kids love playing together. We’ve got a change to be pretty good.”
The Bearcats were more than pretty good in the first quarter, needing only six plays to score five touchdowns. After forcing a three-and-out the Trojans’ first series, Burlingame scored on its second play when quarterback Colby Middleton hit Matthew Heckman on a crossing route for a 46-yard score less than two minutes into the game.
Moments later, the lead grew to 13-0 when Middleton connected with Timmy Roberts on a 20-yard toss and Jose Arevalo kicked the extra point. During the next four minutes, the Bearcats got touchdown passes from Middleton to Dane Winters and Roman Bayless to build a 26-0 advantage. In the closing seconds of the opening period, Middleton hauled in a short pass from J.D. Tyson out of the “Batman” formation and raced 16 yards for a score and 32-0 edge.
“The Batman is what we call it when we go to J.D. Tyson at quarterback and Middleton goes to running back,” Slater said. “We’re fortunate to have two very talented quarterbacks. We have a senior in Colby Middleton who is a very physical runner and who can throw it. And we have a sophomore in J.D. who is more elusive; I call him Mighty Mouse. We can do several things on offense.”
As potent as the offense was, Burlingame’s defense might have been even more impressive. The Bearcats consistently hit Marais des Cygnes Valley’s running backs in the backfield and pressured the quarterback all night. The Trojans finished with minus-12 total yards, including minus-27 rushing. Not bad for a unit that lost several players to graduation, including two all-league defensive linemen.
“The kids behind those guys worked really hard in the offseason, hitting the weight room, and we had a really good three weeks of camp leading up to the season,” Slater said. “They kids are proud, and we have high expectations here.”
Burlingame scored seven touchdowns despite running only 15 plays. Middleton, who had a hand in all seven touchdowns, completed 5 of 6 passes for 124 yards, rushed for 30 yards on two carries and had one reception for 16 yards. Heckman had two catches for 73 yards, and Tyson 38 total yards.
The Bearcats host Lebo next Friday in a battle between two of the top programs in Eight-Man.
BURLINGAME 46, MARAIS DES CYGNES VALLEY 0
Burlingame 32 14 X X — 46
MdCV 0 0 X X — 0
First Quarter
BHS – Matthew Heckman 46 pass from Colby Middleton (Kick failed)
BHS – Timmy Roberts 20 pass from Middleton (Jose Arevalo kick)
BHS – Dane Winters 11 pass from Middleton (Kick failed)
BHS – Roman Bayless 22 pass from Middleton (Arevalo kick)
BHS – Middleton 16 pass from J.D. Tyson (Kick failed)
Second Quarter
BHS – Middleton 6 run (Kick failed)
BHS – Middleton 24 run (Tyson run)
GAME IN FIGURES
BHS MdCV
First downs 8 1
Rushes-Yards 8-74 22(-27)
Passing 6-7-0 5-10-1
Passing yards 140 15
Totals yards 216 -12
Punts N/A 5-25.8
Fumbles-lost 1-1 6-0
Penalties 6-60 2-20
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Burlingame: Middleton 2-30, Tyson 3-22, Branden Taylor 2-13, Colby Heckman 1-2. Marais des Cygnes Valley: Ryan Baker 13-(-1), Sam Goodard 2-(-2), Dallen Flatin 1-(-2), Jace Stucker 7-(-22).
RECEIVING – Burlingame: Heckman 2-73, Bayless 1-22, Roberts 1-20, Middleton 1-16, Winters 1-11. Marais des Cygnes Valley: Goodard 3-15, Baker 2-0.
PASSING – Burlingame: Middleton 5-6-0 124, Tyson 1-1-0 16. Marais des Cygnes Valley: Stucker 5-10-1 15.
