A breakdown of Gilroy High’s 35-28 win over Burlingame on Friday night to open the 2005 season:
Player of the Game
Justin Sweeney
STAT LINE: 23 carries, 226 yards, 88-yard punt return, 4 TDs
The running back’s quickness and maneuverability was just too much for the Panthers to handle. In the first quarter, Sweeney made the Burlingame punt coverage unit look plain silly on an 88-yard punt return. Even after dropping back a few yards and turning around to make the catch over his shoulder, Sweeney was able to fake out the Burlingame players rushing at him, head up the middle and then to the right sideline before leaving everyone in his dust for the TD. Oh, and he also had a game-saving interception with Burlingame driving to take the lead in the fourth quarter.
Stat of the Game
In the first five minutes of the game, Sweeney gained 127 yards.
Hit of the Game
This one wasn’t pretty. In the second quarter, Burlingame linebacker Paul Floyd collided head-on with Gilroy ball carrier Paul Gonzalez on a kickoff return. Gonzalez was fine, but Floyd was knocked out on impact. Emergency services were called, removed Floyd’s facemask and immobilized him. The good news is, Floyd was able to move his legs and waved to the crowd as he was carried off in a stretcher. The whole situation delayed the game for about 25 minutes.
Next up: Woodside at home, Sept. 9, 7:30pm
