A long tradition continues

[colhenrylives]

The 95th renewal of the football rivalry between neighbors San Mateo and Burlingame highs, dubbed the Little Big Game, will lift off at 11 a.m. Saturday at the latter's field. The first game was played in 1927, one year after San Mateo, featuring multiple players from Burlingame, won the CIF state championship, a true crown that was decided by an actual statewide playoff. Burlingame opened in 1923 and was called "San Mateo High School _ Northern Branch" for several years. San Mateo's history dates all the way back to 1902. The Little Big Game is one of the oldest public school rivalries in the Bay Area. Burlingame leads the series, 58-32-4. The Panthers have won the last 12 games in row. Players on both rosters were in pre-school the last time the Bearcats won this affair. San Mateo is 7-2 and champion of the Peninsula Athletic League's Ocean (B) Division. Burlingame is 4-5 and a member of the PAL's Bay (A) Division. The Panthers need to win this weekend to guarantee a Central Coast Section playoff bid. The Bearcats have already secured a playoff slot. Weather permitting, a gathering of 4,000 customers seems likely. The schools are separated by just over one mile, making this a true neighborhood event.

 

[colhenrylives]

Trivia time: The 1926 San Mateo state championship team was 9-1-1. The only team to beat the Bearcats that year? If you guessed Lick Wilmerding of San Francisco, go to the head of the NorCalPrep class and receive your gold star. Oh, and the score of that contest? It was a 13-0 shutout. Go figure.

 

[observer22]

Saturday’s Pittsburg-Antioch game will not only be Pitt Coach Victor Galli’s final regular season game before retirement, but the 104th meeting between these two rivals.

As the SM-Burlingame tilt is known as the Little Big Game, the Pitt-Antioch matchup is known as the Big Little Game.

Antioch-Pittsburg Big Little Game history

Antioch-Pittsburg Big Little Game history

www.eastbaytimes.com

 

[Rmbr26]

If in the area and no plans the Burlingame vs SM Little Big Game is worth considering going. The history and alumni fan interest in itself guarantees a sizable crowd and lots of excitement. While the Panthers of Burlingame are again a prohibitive favorite the Bearcats of San Mateo will do their best to break the 12 game loss streak to Burlingame. The adrenaline will def be flowing on both sides.

 

[colhenrylives]

If in the area and no plans the Burlingame vs SM Little Big Game is worth considering going. The history and alumni fan interest in itself guarantees a sizable crowd and lots of excitement. While the Panthers of Burlingame are again a prohibitive favorite the Bearcats of San Mateo will do their best to break the 12 game loss streak to Burlingame. The adrenaline will def be flowing on both sides.

Burlingame may be favored (again) but not by an especially large margin. The Panthers are not a prolific offensive team. They are averaging just 15 points per game. Their defense has been reasonably stout, particularly early in games, but it has tended to leak in the final 24 minutes. Their schedule, however, has been much tougher than San Mateo's so comparative stats are somewhat deceptive. The Bearcats, averaging 28 points game, are a run-heavy team led by a savvy senior QB. Burlingame will no doubt force him to throw more than he prefers. San Mateo should be very competitive in this one. Their most important key is probably limiting their own miscues. Penalties, turnovers, missed assignments, blown coverages, mis-communication, etc. have plagued them in prior LBGs.