Game of the Week: De Anza crown is up for grabs

When Capuchino defeated Burlingame in a 20-19 thriller to start the 2023 season, it was a crucial building block for the Mustangs’ quick rise through the Peninsula Athletic League ranks.

The Mustangs went on to record a 9-1 regular-season record last year, along with earning a co-championship in the PAL Ocean Division. And they haven’t slowed down. With a promotion to the PAL De Anza Division, Cap is currently 7-1 overall, and tied for first place in the De Anza with a 3-0 league record.

“That’s not just a varsity game win on first game of 2023, that’s a program win ... especially going against a team like Burlingame that’s been successful for the last 25 or 30 years,” Capuchino head coach Jay Oca said. “It gives our kids the belief they can compete with anyone, anywhere, at any moment in time.”

Now, the crossroads for Cap vying for another PAL division championship go through the Burlingame Panthers, as the two teams meet Saturday night in San Bruno at 7 p.m. in the Daily Journal’s Game of the Week.

Burlingame never recovered from that Week 1 loss last season, scuffling to a 3-7 regular-season record, though the Panthers still qualified for the Central Coast Section playoffs despite posting just one win in PAL Bay Division play. Moving down to the De Anza Division has not only helped the program find its footing, but has seen the Panthers thrive.

“This is new territory for a lot of our kids,” Burlingame head coach John Philipopoulos said. “But ... they’re gamers. They know what’s at stake, and we expect a good game Saturday night at Cap.”

What’s at stake is a shot at the PAL De Anza title. Burlingame is 6-2 overall, with a 3-1 league record. Its only loss came Oct. 17, 28-21, at the hands of the King’s Academy.

Burlingame and TKA are in a virtual tie for second place in the PAL De Anza, each with one loss on their league records. First-place Cap is the only unbeaten team in league play, but finishes the regular season with back-to-back games against Burlingame and TKA.

“I think obviously going out and competing for a league championship is where we set our goals early in the season,” Philipopoulos said. “I think our kids have risen to the occasion pretty much week in and week out. ... Even in defeat, we’ve played hard.”

That’s for sure. With the exception of two blowout wins for the Panthers — 43-17 over Mountain View, Oct. 4; and 47-8 over Aragon, last Friday — most of their games have been close ones. Four of Burlingame’s games have been settled within a one-score differential.

“I’m just going to be honest, that’s in favor of Burlingame,” Oca said. “They’re battle tested and we have to get there as well.”

“I think when you’re playing close, really competitive games, it teaches your kids how to compete,” Philipopoulos said. “It teaches them how to execute when the pressure is high. It teaches them to fight through adversity, when things aren’t going your way to just keep plugging along. ... And I think that’s a mindset our kids have embraced.”

Much like Cap’s win over the Panthers last season, Burlingame has a similar feather in its cap after a stunning 19-18 victory over Wilcox in non-league play. It is one of just two losses for Wilcox overall, while the Chargers are tied for first place in the PAL Bay Division as one of two unbeaten teams in league play.

“That’s a program win for them,” Oca said. “So they’re on a high. They know they can play with anyone.”

Burlingame unleashed the ground attack in last week’s 47-8 win over Aragon. The Panthers rushed for 240 yards, with 10 different players running the ball. While senior Cole Hardtke, and juniors Nick Armstrong and Ciaran Baker rushed for one touchdown apiece, senior quarterback Luke Levitt was 6-of-7 passing, with three of those completions going for touchdowns, two going to Jake Flood.

“It has been one of the more balanced offenses we’ve had in recent years ... and it will certainly take balance to win on Saturday night,” Philipopoulos said. “That Capuchino defense is big and fast and they do a lot of good things schematically that will be a challenge for our kids.”

Cap’s defense is highlighted by junior outside linebacker Rome Iosia, a physical, energetic presence. Senior defensive tackle Mafi Folau is more of a silent assassin, but plays with a similar intensity.

It’s no secret the Mustangs’ best weapon is on offense, though, in the person of running back Lucas Zayac, the 2023 PAL Ocean Division Player of the Year. The senior is coming off a big game in Cap’s 45-17 romp at Mountain View last week.

“He’s athlete of the year last year in the Ocean Division, and he’s acting like it right now,” Oca said. “So, we’re hoping that comes out Saturday night.”

But Cap’s offense has stealthily created tremendous depth as well. In the Mustangs’ Week 2 win over Jefferson, they listed just two running backs on their roster. In the midst of a 43-0 win, seven different people carried the ball. Meanwhile, quarterback Bobby Gomez has given Cap a bona fide big-play passing option.

Burlingame has depth in all three tiers of its defense, with senior Joey Scovill at defensive end, and senior Luke Dimech at safety. But the Panthers’ defense rallies around Hardtke, a senior inside linebacker, who leads the team with 69 tackles, including 40 solo tackles and 8 1/2 tackles for a loss.

“He really plays with a ferocious style,” Philipopoulos said. “He’s very fast and physical ... and he’s really been the heart of the defense.”

The Week 9 game being slated for Saturday night was Cap’s choice, Oca said. Cap was given the option to host the game Thursday or Saturday, and chose Saturday to avoid playing on Halloween.