Little Big Game

It was the annual “little big game” between Burlingame and San Mateo High, and the youngster and his buddy needed a ride. It was the first high school football game that either had attended and my first in over 30 years. I dropped them off at the gate and, after running some errands, parked the car a quarter mile away and joined them on the San Mateo side of the stands.

It was near the end of the first half, and the favored Panthers were thumping our team, 24-0. The two boys’ expressions alternated between puzzlement and disappointment. This wasn’t as much fun as they expected. I thought about the father-son conversations we would have later---it’s only a game, you can’t win ‘em all, there’s always someone better than you---at least we’ll get a teaching moment out of this.

San Mateo back runs for a touchdown

The second half began as a continuation of the first. San Mateo received the kickoff, and a few plays later a huge Burlingame lineman flung our quarterback to the ground like a rag doll, and the ball came loose. I looked at my watch; the boys wouldn’t protest if we left, but what was my hurry, really? Let’s see if our team can score, I said hopefully.

Early in the fourth quarter the Bearcats intercepted a pass. The line began opening holes, and a runner darted into the end zone for our first score with eight minutes left. The two-point conversion failed, and the score was a more dignified 24-6. The stands came to life. A few feet away a large lady of Pacific heritage started banging on a steel trashcan with a metal rod.

On the first play from scrimmage the Panthers fumbled the ball away. The Bearcats were in the end zone a few seconds later, and the score was 24-13. The next sequence was a mirror of the previous one, only this time we did make the two-point conversion and trailed 24-21 with four minutes to go. Everyone was on their feet, yelling. The lady continued to pound tirelessly on the trash can. If I had a hearing aid, I would have turned it off.

The San Mateo defense held, and Burlingame punted. The Bearcats were transformed. Every offensive play clicked, and San Mateo was inside the Burlingame red zone, i.e., the 20-yard line. A pass was thrown to the right corner of the end zone. A Burlingame defender caught the pass out of bounds, so the referee signaled that the pass was incomplete. But to our horror, play was halted, and the crew huddled, then changed the call to an intercepted pass and a touchback. Panthers ball on their 20 with 2 1/2 minutes to go.

Having been silent for most of the quarter, the Burlingame stands erupted. Catcalls and expletives rained down from the San Mateo side. It's just a game, people, set a good example for the kids. The game turned ugly, and a San Mateo player was ejected.

The San Mateo defense pushed Burlingame back near the goal line, and rather than risk a punt on fourth down, their kicker ran around the end zone and deliberately took a safety. I explained to the boys that one doesn't see this too often; the leading team sometimes gives up two points so that they can punt from the 20 instead of their end zone.

Burlingame punted from their 20-yard line after the safety

With less than 10 seconds left and no time outs, the Bearcats were out of miracles. The score was 24-23, an unexpected and pleasing end to a game that had started so unpromisingly.

There were many more teaching moments that I will review later with the youngster: how the San Mateo quarterback after three quick scores thought he was invincible and threw an unwise pass; how anger, fighting, and contesting the judges were counter-productive; how by waiting till the fourth quarter one could get discounts of more than 50% on hot dogs, drinks, and souvenirs; how one should never sit close to large ladies armed with metal rods. Best five bucks I spent in a long time. © 2005 Stephen Yuen

Burlingame 24, San Mateo 23