Burrell sophomore quarterback Antonio Perkins chose to put a lot of pressure on the WPIAL Class 3A wild-card committee.
After Perkins piled up a school-record 360 rushing yards, ran a punt and kick back for a score, intercepted a pass and scored five rushing touchdowns, who wants to be the one who keeps him and the Buccaneers out of the playoffs? Burrell beat Deer Lakes, 48-41, on Friday night at home to state its case for another week of action.
Perkins’ 360 rushing yards broke Brock White’s record of 320 against Ford City in 1997.
“We had to do everything we could,” Perkins said. “Everything that is in our control. We can only control so much.”
Burrell lineman Ayden Kun, who recorded a sack to end Deer Lakes’ final drive at the Buccaneers’ 46, said they were all working to show they belonged in the playoffs.
“I put my body on the line,” Kun said. “I was pulling and giving it everything I got for my guy, Tone.”
The Buccaneers (4-6, 3-3) also have a nonconference win over Mt. Pleasant to back up their other wins. The Vikings lost to Elizabeth Forward.
Burrell only had 49 total yards in the first half. The Buccaneers were behind 21-14. Perkins scored both of Burrell’s first-half touchdowns on a 37-yard punt return and a 92-yard kick return.
Despite the big plays, Deer Lakes’ consistent rushing attack was finding big holes. Roman Smith, who finished with 177 yards on 16 carries, scored twice in the first half.
Ryan Love, who finished with 79 yards and scored twice, put Deer Lakes ahead before halftime on a 1-yard scoring run.
“I was pleased,” Deer Lakes coach Tim Burk said. “We found ways to get Roman free. Ryan ran hard too. Finally, we were able to put our run game together. It’s a shame it’s the last game of the year.”
The Lancers (2-8, 1-5) caught some bad luck after halftime. Deer Lakes attempted a surprise onside kick, but after a scramble Burrell recovered.
The Buccaneers capped that drive with an 8-yard touchdown run by Perkins. Burrell scored 27 points in the third quarter.
“We had to lock in,” Perkins said. “The first half they were physical, in the second half we were way more physical. Our job has done an amazing job all year.”
Burrell coach Dom Girardi said he thought the big special teams plays upset the Buccaneers’ offensive rhythm.
“The funny thing is those are great plays,” Girardi said. “It has a negative effect where your offense stays off the field, and you can’t get into rhythm. The first drive of the second half is the most important drive in every game.”
Burrell stretched its lead to 14, but Love scored on an 18-yard run with 5:36 remaining to cut the deficit to seven. The Lancers then forced Perkins to fumble at the 10-yard line and took over with an opportunity to tie or go ahead.
The drive stalled out around midfield following three incompletions and a sack by Kun.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to make a play when we needed to,” Burk said. “It’s been our Achilles’ heel all year is to not make a play at the key moment.”
Burrell made its statement. Girardi believes the Bucs deserve the call for the postseason.
“I hope we get the opportunity to work on it next week,” Girardi said. “I think we earned it. Not just for what we did tonight, but for what we did earlier in the season.”