Borghardt's punt returns help Pintos get past rival Blair Oaks in district final

California punt returner Walker Borghardt finds a seam in the Falcon special teams and races to the end zone for a touchdown during Friday night's Class 3 District 6 championship at Riley Field in California.
California punt returner Walker Borghardt finds a seam in the Falcon special teams and races to the end zone for a touchdown during Friday night's Class 3 District 6 championship at Riley Field in California.

Blair Oaks wasn't going to allow California senior running back Walker Borghardt to beat them in Friday's Class 3 District 6 final at Riley Field.

However, the Falcons weren't prepared to stop California's special teams ace in the Pintos' dramatic 32-30 victory.

Borghardt, who plays offense, defense and special teams for the Pintos, was limited from his running back position to just 18 yards on 11 carries. As a punt returner, though, he changed the complexion of the game.

With California trailing 3-0 in the first quarter, Borghardt went back deep to field a punt. Catching the ball at his own 21-yard line, he zigged and zagged past midfield. Around the Blair Oaks' 40-yard line, a Falcons player grabbed hold of Borghardt's jersey, but the shifty California speedster broke away from the tackle and raced to the end zone, giving the Pintos a 7-3 lead.

"I almost made a fair-catch, but I looked down right before I caught it," Borghardt said. "I took it right and saw my blocks. I knew we had to bust it wide-open and try to stay in the game."

In the third quarter, the Falcons once again made the mistake of kicking a punt to Borghardt. This time, he caught the ball on Blair Oaks' 39-yard line and broke loose for 18 yards, giving the Pintos excellent field position. Three plays later, quarterback Jaden Barr scored on a 16-yard run to cut Blair Oaks' lead to 23-21.

"Walker is instrumental in our success," Barr said. "He's got great speed, by far the fastest on our team. Whenever you get him in space, it's really hard to catch him. He did great (Friday night)."

Having such a gifted punt returner on the field is a luxury for California special teams coach Rick Edwards.

"Walker has really gotten after it this year," Edwards said. "As the season goes on, he's ran better. Special teams are important to Walker. When he was young, he was one of our return guys and got a lot of yardage. He realizes what can be done on special teams. It can win a game, and it did (Friday night)."

Pintos head coach Marty Albertson echoed those sentiments.

"Walker is a very talented kid," Albertson said. "The last five games, he's pretty much said, "Hey, I'm not going to get tackled.' I've seen him run plays where five guys hit him and he still breaks the tackle. Once he gets in the open, nobody is going to catch him."

Without Borghardt's punt returns, the Pintos (12-0) may not have been celebrating their third consecutive district title. California, ranked No. 2 in Class 3, hosts Orchard Farm (10-2) in a state quarterfinal at 7 p.m. Friday.

"When you get two good teams like this, special teams can decide the game," Albertson said after accepting the district title plaque. "Truthfully, it did (Friday night). Walker scored one touchdown and set us up for another one."

Borghardt also contributed on offense during the Pintos' go-ahead scoring drive late in the fourth quarter. On first down from Blair Oaks' 44-yard line, he picked up 13 yards on a delayed hand-off. Six plays later, California sophomore kicker Jose Magana booted the winning 35-yard field goal with 1:25 left.

While Borghardt can be a difference-maker at running back or returning kicks and punts, he prefers the latter.

"I'd rather be a returner, just because I can set up my blocks more and they're not in a solid (defensive) scheme," he said. "It makes more holes, so you can bust it wide-open."

Borghardt, also a defensive back, finished with four tackles against Blair Oaks.