This CCS first-rounder is set for 7 p.m. on the BHS field. Two worries for BHS come to mind right off the bat: Riordan's special teams (both plus and minus) and the Panthers' ability to defend the Crusaders' spread offense. Oh, and then there's the issue of Riordan's overall team speed on both sides of the ball. These teams did scrimmage against one another in August. And they have two common opponents from the PAL Bay, M-A and SHP. Riordan beat both; BHS went 1-1. Riordan is the clear favorite Friday. Your thoughts?
Riordan vs. Burlingame
- Thread starter colhenrylives
- Start date
Tough to argue. Riordan is especially tough when they keep mistakes to a minimum and try not to do much on each and every play.
Its clear Riordan will be the favorite & BGame will be a heavy underdog in this one. The Burlingame Panthers simply played a far weaker schedule than Riordan & their biggest win was over Menlo-Atherton 14-0. Riordan also played MA early in season and won 26-9 while MA later took down SHP 17-14. BGame may be a tad better than some fans are expecting so this one could be closer than projected. I would still take Riordan for the win, but think the final score will not be a blow-out. Sometimes teams with weak schedules and winning records are quality teams & have just not had anyone of their level to play.
When RIordan is clicking in all aspects of the game, they are very tough to handle, a lot like Serra. Their array of playmakers is impressive. Focusing on one or two of them releases someone else to bust loose and do damage. BHS almost has to pray that the Crusaders, somehow, will beat themselves via big penalties and key turnovers. That's a lot to ask.
Could not agree more with the post re: Riordan's playmaker's. My point in my prior post was that BGame is not a weak team, but perhaps suffers from simply having a weak schedule without much of a chance to prove themselves. The fact they beat MA & had a close game with SHP [much like Palma] tells me they are a quality team. Whenever projections are heavy on the score differential even though the underdog has had a couple quality games I go with the underdog on the point spread [not saying for the win - but to cover the spread & usually much closer than the blowout projection, that's all].
To be honest, my man Cole & Rmbr are both right...
There was a great thread discussion on the success of Riordans this season. As dialogue, if you ask the Riordan Coaches? They will clearly state under performance. But if you ask players who had horrific coaching for three years (i.e. Sweeney & Lee era) they felt a real sense of achievement.
Well now expectations our done with and it is a sense win or go home. It will not take a perfect storm to be successful. It will be "do what you do well" approach.
I don't think anyone associated with Phelan Ave. is on any other page. But there is also a feeling of inclusion to other Francsican's to join them.
We are San Francisco...We Are One and remember We R Crusaders....
There was a great thread discussion on the success of Riordans this season. As dialogue, if you ask the Riordan Coaches? They will clearly state under performance. But if you ask players who had horrific coaching for three years (i.e. Sweeney & Lee era) they felt a real sense of achievement.
Well now expectations our done with and it is a sense win or go home. It will not take a perfect storm to be successful. It will be "do what you do well" approach.
I don't think anyone associated with Phelan Ave. is on any other page. But there is also a feeling of inclusion to other Francsican's to join them.
We are San Francisco...We Are One and remember We R Crusaders....
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