historic performance

Bijan Robinson is the best player in football.

That’s what Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris said about his star running back Monday night after a 24-14 win over reigning MVP Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

While Morris may be somewhat biased toward his own player, national TV viewers might have trouble arguing with him after what they witnessed Robinson accomplish on this week’s “Monday Night Football.”

The third-year player tied his career high with 170 rushing yards (the most for a Falcons player during a prime time TV game) in 19 carries. That included a spectacular 81-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that was the longest run of his career as well the longest in the NFL this season. It’s also tied for the second-longest rushing touchdown in Falcons history.

Robinson now has three plays from scrimmage of 50 yards or more this season after having only one longer than 30 yards last year.

“IIt’s just a thing of my game where I want to get better at and continue to get better at every single day,” Robinson said after the game. “And you know, if I can get better at that and breaking those long runs, it’s only helping the team.”

Robinson also caught six passes from quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for 68 yards for a total of 238 yards from scrimmage, the most ever for a Falcons running back.

“There are some people who are just born to be a certain athlete,” Falcons receiver Drake London said after the game. “Like you have certain people who are born to be basketball players, such as LeBron [James]. You have people who are born to be football players, like they have the perfect body shape for it. Now, [Robinson] goes out there, and it’s like art. It’s amazing to see.”

Speaking of James, the Lakers superstar also took notice of Robinson’s performance.

“Bijan so COLD!!!!!!!!!” James posted on X during the game.

A first-round draft pick in 2023 and a Pro Bowl selection last year, Robinson leads the league with 822 yards from scrimmage this season (484 rushing and 338 receiving), and it’s not even all that close.

The Falcons are one of only six teams that have had their bye weeks already, meaning Robinson has compiled his total in five games. The next 11 players on the list — starting with San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey at No. 2 with 780 yards — have all played in six games.

If he keeps this pace, Robinson will finish the season with 2,797 yards from scrimmage, which would break the current record of 2,509 yards set by Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson in 2009. Johnson’s record was set during a 16-game season; Robinson is on pace to have 2,630 yards after his 16th game of the 17-game season.

So maybe Morris wasn’t being all that biased in his post-game comments about Robinson after all.

“He’s the best player in football,” Morris told reporters. “I’ve said it multiple times, I can’t say it enough. You can always have your pick, you can always go out there and figure out who you want to vote for, but in my opinion, he’s the best player in football.”

Whatever Canon King of Venice High had done earlier this season — he had six home runs — his performance on Tuesday night in the City Section Open Division semifinal game against Sylmar at Cal State Northridge earned him a lofty place few others have attained.

He was five for five with three RBIs and scored the winning run in the eighth inning of a 9-8 victory.

“It felt amazing,” he said. “My approach all day, get on base.”

He repeatedly looked for holes in Sylmar’s defense and sent the ball wherever they existed. It was an amazing display of bat discipline and knowledge. He had a single in the first inning, a two-run single in the second, a single in the fourth, a single in the sixth and a run-scoring double in the eighth.

Now he gets to play in the Open Division final against El Camino Real at 1 p.m. Saturday at Dodger Stadium. He’s committed to Cal State San Marcos and is a three-time Western League MVP.

“Best hitter in the City in my time doing this,” Westchester coach Joshua Saperstein said.

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SACRAMENTO — The show that Brayden Burries of Eastvale Roosevelt put on at Golden 1 Center on Saturday night in the state Open Division championship game against San Francisco Riordan was historic. Fans who watched him make 10 of 13 shots and score 27 points in the first half, ranging from three-point baskets to layups after grabbing a rebound and dribbling coast to coast, will remember his absolute brilliance.

The 6-foot-5 senior couldn’t be stopped. He was in one of those rare athletic trances that bring out moments of greatness. He finished with 44 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and led Roosevelt (35-2) to its first Open Division state title with an emphatic 80-60 victory over Riordan.

Burries set an Open Division scoring record (the previous record was 35 points) in one of the best individual playoff performances in Southern California history. Tracy Murray scored 64 points in the 1989 state Division II final for Glendora at the Oakland Coliseum and Dwayne Polee scored 43 points against Crenshaw in the 1981 City Section championship game before 14,123 at the Sports Arena.

Burries made 15 of 22 shots, was four for six from three-point range and made 10 of 12 free throws. Roosevelt made 21 of 23 free throws.

“Unbelievable,” Roosevelt coach Stephen Singleton said. “Best player in the history of Roosevelt. No. 5 is going to be retired. Nobody is better. He stepped up in the biggest moment on the biggest stage. He’ll be playing here one day.”

Said Burries: “Before the game I was listening to a lot of gospel music. I was just in a zone. I woke up feeling great. We had our shootaround and had the chemistry, ‘We can’t lose this one tonight.’ We had to finish the story. It was great time out there. I wish we had another game. It was amazing.”

Burries still hasn’t announced a college choice. His sidekick, point guard Myles Walker, had another terrific game, scoring 15 points.

Jasir Rancher scored 22 points for Riordan, which finished 29-2.

Roosevelt’s Brayden Burries is helped up by Myles Walker after making a three-pointer while being fouled.

(Greg Stein / For The Times)

In describing what he saw in the first half from Burries, Walker said he was “unconscious.”

“He’s the best player in the nation,” Walker said.

Burries is set to play in the McDonald’s All-American game. He has left a legacy at Roosevelt that will be long remembered.