Sure, August Martin High School (Queens, N.Y.) football did not exactly play one of its best games this season. But when you have one of the best running backs in the Public School League (PSAL) 1A Conference, junior Kaziem Burroughs, you have the chance to overcome some shortcomings in your team’s performance, per head coach Kyle Allen.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Behind Burroughs’ 199 yards and two touchdowns, the Falcons upended Alfred E. Smith, 32-8, Friday night at home.
August Martin coughed up the football twice in red zone, but it did not hurt them.
The Warriors’ defense stacked the line of scrimmage, but Burroughs still found a way, with the help of the Falcons’ strong offensive line, to torch the opposition.
“This team (the Warriors), probably put nine people in the box, figuring that was their best to try to stop him. Kind of backfired; he still rushed for around 200 yards,” Allen said. “He’s so quick at deciding where he’s going to push the ball to, that we called an inside play and they (O-line) would down block inside and he would bounce it outside, or vice versa. They work well with each other; him and the line, they feed off each other. It’s magic to watch.”
Knowing that teams will key on him, Burroughs said he ignores the extra load on his shoulders and just pushes forward for his squad and the W.
“The pressure, I don’t really let it get to me, you know? I have had pressure since we played Springfield (28-21 win in September),” Burroughs explained. “I always had a lot of pressure on me because I was coming off an injury, with something to prove. And once we realized what we got from that (win), every week after that, I just decided I have to push further every single game, no what and just keep my guys’ energy up.”
August Martin scored first after senior quarterback Nooa Allen found senior wide receiver Tyrese Vassell on a 10-yard touchdown pass. For good measure, Vassell caught the ensuing two-point toss for an early 8-0 advantage in the first period.
Allen rushed for a 13-yard TD and the two point conversion for a 16-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
On the defensive side, Burroughs tackled the ball carrier in the end zone to swell the Falcons’ lead to 18-0 with 5:15 remaining in the first half.
However, August Martin’s defense surrendered it lone touchdown in the third period. But two more touchdowns and a two-point score sealed the deal for the Falcons.
Allen threw for 89 yards on nine of 13 attempts and a TD while rushing for another. Vassell had five receptions for 61 yards before leaving the game due to injury.
Defesivley, Burroughs paced the Falcons with seven tackles, and junior Michael Glasgow, Jr. had four stops in the victory.
August Martin hosts Fredrick Douglas Academy Friday at 7:00 to cap the PSAL regular season.
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