BCAT News

The Burlington Red Devils came away with a 21-15 win over the Woburn Tanners on Sept. 20. It was a game that came down to a final push in the last minutes, ending a years-long losing streak to our Winn St. rivals and bringing in a win for a special fan who was in the stands.

Burlington claimed an early lead 7-0 in the first drive of the opening quarter as senior quarterback Anthony Gerrior sent a 79-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Ryan Brooks. Junior defensive back Ryan Ellis intercepted the ball on the Tanners’ next drive. On the Devils’ next possession, Gerrior passed to Brooks for a six-yard touchdown, the second of the night, bringing the score to 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Woburn senior Cayden Davis skirted the Devils defense to bringing in the Tanners’ first touchdown, but they missed their extra point, bringing the score to 14-6. But the Devils expanded their lead once again when their special teams got involved. Brooks returned the kickoff and once again found the end zone for a 90-yard touchdown, making the score 21-6 going into halftime. 

Woburn wasn’t going down without a fight entering the third quarter, as they eventually found the end zone for the second time of the night, 21-12. The two point attempt was unsuccessful, keeping the score at 21-12 entering the fourth.

Burlington chewed out a majority of the clock to start the fourth quarter but eventually ended up giving the ball back to Woburn. The Tanners had one more shot to get a touchdown but the Burlington defense prevented this from happening, only allowing Woburn a field goal attempt, 21-15.

With the game on the line and a minute left in the fourth quarter, it was fourth and inches for Burlington. Gerrior used his power to push his way through for the first down and ended up getting it after a measurement by the referees, who signaled the first down. The Devils held on in the end, and it was a sweet victory for the home team. 

Honorary captain Roman seemed to enjoy his role at the game. Photo courtesy Kevin Carnell.

It wasn’t just a strong showing for the Devils and a victory in our long-running feud against our neighbors. It was also a chance to celebrate Roman, a Burlington student who has been diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Roman was the honorary captain for Friday’s matchup, and even tossed the coin to determine the first possession.

The Red Devils will face the Cambridge and Latin Falcons on Friday, September 27 at 6 p.m.