Burwell’s Blocked Field Goal Seals Edison’s Comeback Over Palos Verdes, Score 21-20 (2025)

Palos Verdes Estates – Sea Kings Stadium (PVHS)

Edison football looked dead in the water Friday night at Palos Verdes. Through three quarters, the Chargers had managed just 143 total yards and two first downs, while Ryan Rakowski and the Sea Kings dictated the game on the ground and through the air. But Edison’s late-game resilience carried the day, as the Chargers scored twice in the final quarter and blocked a potential game-winning field goal to pull off a dramatic 21-20 nonleague win.

Palos Verdes (2-2) built its lead behind Rakowski, who scored all three of the Sea Kings’ touchdowns and finished with 213 all-purpose yards. He punched in a 3-yard run in the first quarter and later added a 6-yard rushing score after a pair of Edison personal fouls extended the drive. In the third, Rakowski found Morley Boyd for a 16-yard touchdown pass that made it 20-7 after the PAT. A failed two-point conversion attempt would loom large.

Edison (3-1) showed life just before the fourth quarter. Ryder Chapman hauled in a 42-yard trick-play touchdown to cut the deficit to 20-14 with 8:06 remaining. Minutes later, a Palos Verdes fumble set the Chargers up deep in enemy territory, and Samuel Edmisten cashed in with a 13-yard touchdown catch to tie the game. The extra point gave Edison its first lead of the night at 21-20.

Palos Verdes mounted one final push. Dominik Hernando, who ran for 99 yards on 29 carries, helped move the ball 63 yards to set up kicker Niko Dragin for a 33-yard field goal attempt. But Edison’s Blaise Burwell broke through and blocked the kick, sealing the comeback.

“Our defense kept us in the football game,” Edison coach Jeff Grady said. “We made some plays on offense when we needed them and got a huge stop at the end of the game.”

Palos Verdes coach Guy Gardner was candid about his team’s missed opportunities. “I have a problem with my play call on the 2-inch line. That one is on me. Run the football,” he admitted. “We did some self-damage too. You have to take care of the ball against a good team.”

The Chargers, who were outplayed for most of the night, head home with a confidence-building win and momentum heading into the heart of their schedule.