Basic set for Henderson Bowl showdown with Green Valley

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 | 7:39 p.m.

Justin Burdno was just an eighth grader at B. Mahlon Brown Middle School when he got his first taste of the bitter football rivalry between Basic and Green Valley high schools.

Sitting in the stands at the annual Henderson Bowl game between the two teams in 2004, Burdno became furious when his hometown Wolves were defeated by the Gators.

Sure, losing the rivalry game fueled his distaste, but watching Green Valley players celebrate at Basic's Don Taylor Stadium was even tougher to stomach.

Burdno, now a senior and three-year varsity performer, will lead the Wolves in Henderson Bowl XVIII at 7 p.m. Thursday at Basic.

Basic hasn't had possession of the bowl since that night in 2004 as Green Valley has won the last four meetings. Burdno, a wide receiver and defensive back, realizes this is his final chance to play in the city's most storied rivalry and plans on being the one leading the celebration.

"They (Green Valley's players) just ran over and snatched the bowl from our principal," Burdno said of the 2004 game. "I've wanted to get the bowl back since I was a freshman."

The game will have added significance this year.

In addition to playing for the bowl and year long bragging rights, the winner will capture the Henderson City Championship — a trophy annually awarded since 2000 by the Home News to the top team in Henderson, which is also the Southeast Division champion.

Green Valley, which is in first place of the Southeast at 5-0, needs a victory for the title. Basic (4-1) must win by two or more points.

"This is by far the biggest Henderson Bowl there has been," Green Valley coach Matt Gerber said.

Green Valley is 12-5 all-time in Henderson Bowl games but has never won the city title. Capturing the championship against Basic would make Green Valley's undefeated run in league games even more memorable, Gators linebacker Derrick Garrett.

Garrett has played in Green Valley's last two Henderson Bowl victories and understands winning a third game would put him in an elite class. Some players, especially at Basic, end their careers without winning the bowl, but Garrett could take part in a post-game celebration for a third time.

This time, with two trophies.

"That would be a special moment for me," Garrett said. "Even if we lost all of our games, as long as we beat Basic, the season would be (a success)," Garrett said. "The stands will be packed for this game. It's the biggest game of the year."

The Henderson Bowl wasn't supposed to be the night's only important contest. Silverado and Del Sol, the last two city champs, will meet in game several thought would determine the championship at the beginning of the season.

But Silverado has lost four league games, and Del Sol was upset by Green Valley 28-27 on Oct. 17. A Basic victory against Green Valley, combined with a Del Sol win against Silverado, would put all three teams with identical 5-1 records in the Southeast.

Basic (6-3, 4-1) would win the tie-breaker if it is victorious by two or more points.

"Someone is going to go home with a lot of hardware," Basic coach Jeff Cahill said. "There has never been this much on the line."

Basic won the city title in 2000, also beating Green Valley that fall for the first time since 1993.

Winning again this year won't be easy, Cahill said.

Basic gave up 390 yards rushing in a loss to Del Sol last week and stopping Green Valley's Quincy Bagsby, who has rushed for 562 yards and five touchdowns this year, will present a challenge. Last year, Green Valley's Frank Satterfield rushed for 269 yards and four touchdowns in a 47-26 Henderson Bowl win.

"We have to slow down their running game," Cahill said. "Bagsby is a strong runner. He gets the ball and goes."

Come kickoff, however, both teams knows pregame preparations will only amount for so much — the emotions of playing in Henderson Bowl usually takes over.

"The Henderson Bowl is a neat thing to be playing for. There is so much history in the game," Gerber said.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or [email protected].