Next man up: Christian Brothers gets star turn from backup RB to topple Sheldon

Christian Brothers High School went against Sheldon High School on Friday without senior running back, D.J. Crowther, one of the best players in the Sacramento area, due to an ankle injury.

No problem. The Falcons received a major contribution from their next man up, senior running back Jackson Burleson, and Christian Brothers rolled past Sheldon 32-13.

Burleson ran for 120 yards on 16 attempts, scoring three rushing touchdowns. He also added two receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown, including a 74-yard catch-and-run on the Falcons’ opening drive.

Score one (or three) for the little guy. Burleson doesn’t stand that tall. He’s one of the smallest guys on the team, listed at 5-foot-5, which might be generous. What’s not measured on the roster, but should be taken into consideration, is his heart and energy.

“I was just feeling everything. (Throughout) the game, I heard the crowd. I just loved the moment,” said Burleson.

He said the team was fired up throughout the game after walking into the stadium listening to the enw album released by Drake, “CLB.” Before taking the field, the team listened to the song “Pipe Down.”

It sparked a performance for the senior running back. Burleson was a menace all over the field, carving out a stellar exhibition. He scored four total touchdowns.

“It just felt great knowing that as soon as I get the ball, I don’t have to worry about someone blindsiding me,” said Burleson about his team’s line protection. “I appreciate everything that they do for me.”

For Christian Brothers first-year head coach Larry Morla, Burleson’s performance did not come as a surprise. Morla has served on the school’s coaching staff since 2016.

He said Burleson and Crowther are a “one-two punch” together.

Even though they were without Crowther, Morla wasn’t worried about a lack of productivity from his backfield because he knows what Burleson is capable of.

“We know he’s a great player that’s why we knew we could win this game,” said Morla. “He’s elusive, he has speed. We weren’t worried because we know we have a good back and Jackson took over this game.”

Morla’s only worries in the game might have been in the first half. The Falcons started off slow, despite the opening-drive touchdown by Burleson.

The game was tied at 13 at halftime and Christian Brothers didn’t take the lead until late in the third quarter. The Christian Brothers defense held Sheldon to scoreless in the second half and had four sacks and two interceptions by defensive back Demonte Robinson.

“We preached unity all week, this is a good team win. We started the first half, it was not what we wanted. We were giving them the game, and we came out in the second half and pitched out a shutout. Our defense is a good defense,” said Morla.

The Falcons’ next game will be Sept. 11, when they play in the 50th annual Holy Bowl against Jesuit. The seventh-ranked Marauders are 1-1 and look to win back-to-back games after defeating No. 5 Granite Bay 28-14 Friday.

Christian Brothers expects Crowther to be available next week. Burleson says he’s ready if the Falcons need him to step back in.