Burlingame slowly approaching perfect season

BURLINGAME, Calif. — In a football era of spreading out and passing fancy, John Philipopoulos and his Burlingame Panthers are all about slowing it down and making other teams adjust.

By that time, the Panthers are gone. 

Burlingame, the Bay Area's No. 22 team, runs the old-school Wing-T offense and then, without a lot of size or speed, confuses opponents with multiple defensive formations and blitzes.

The result has been a 9-0 record heading into Saturday's 86th Little Big Game at San Mateo (4-6). Kickoff is 11 a.m.



The Panthers, who have outscored 421-66 with four shutouts, are one of just seven Bay Area teams who have perfect records.

"Everyone around us is in a hurry and we're trying to slow it down," the 12th-year head coach said. "So far, so good."

Despite back-to-back 5-6 seasons, Philipopoulos had a suspicion the Panthers would be special based largely on their defense and three key senior skill players and co-captains — running back Manase Palu (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), fullback back Keone Keahi (6-0, 195) and wingback Robbie Baumgarten (5-10, 150).

Like all of Philipopoulos' teams, all three players share the touches, making it difficult for defenses to key.

Palu has 75 carries for 665 yards and 12 scores followed by Keahi (76, 568, 6) and Baumgarten (40-494-5), who has three receiving touchdowns and five on returns.

"Palu has great balance and vision and can change directions without reducing speed," Philipopoulos said. "He's powerful and a really good blocker



"Keone is a three year starter and grasps everything we do. He can play anywhere on the field and is one of the best safeties in the league and section.

"Robbie is just unbelievable. He's not real big but he sets the town with a lot of big plays on offense and return game."

Junior quarterback Avery Gindraux has been a very pleasant surprise when called upon to pass with 35 completions in 62 attempts for 577 yards. He's thrown 13 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

The key – and big question mark heading into the season – was the team's inexperienced offensive line that has "got better and better each and every day. They haven't had a bad day at practice. They are attentive and coachable and definitely paved the way."

They are tackles Alex Furr and Dominic Garcia, guards Evan Struck and Jacob Crowell, center Mitchell Gaiser and tight end Steve Cosenza.

"They've definitely paved the way," Philipopoulos said.



The Panthers are led defensively by coordinator and longtime Peninsula coach Brian Von Almen. On the field, Keahi, defensive back Andrew Kennedy (team-best 48 tackles), linebacker Sam Buckingham (46 tackles, five sacks) and Baumgarten (five interceptions) have been superb.

"Our special teams and kicking have also been really good," Philipopoulos said. "It takes all phases to get to this point."

The Panthers will likely be a top seed in the Central Coast Section Division III playoffs, but could be matched up with more than one West Catholic Athletic League foe. St. Ignatius, the defending Open champion, will likely be in and sixth-ranked Valley Christian could fall from the Open based on points.

Burlingame is more focused on San Mateo in one of the best rivalry games in the state. More than 5,000 fans are expected to show to see if Burlingame will extend its series lead from 49-32-4. The Panthers have won three straight in the series and 14 of 16.

"It's really a tremendous event — competing bands, alumni, pageantry," Philipopoulos said. "Just get there early to find parking."