Returning players show maturity, skills as Burnet starts fall camp

JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER

BURNET — The Burnet High School football team split up into groups during the second day of fall camp Aug. 4.

One was the defense, another was the offensive line, and the last group were the offensive skilled players.

Burnet head coach Kurt Jones said he was pleased with many parts of the past two days of practices such as players’ effort, intensity, attention to detail and their willingness to be coached and do the task correctly.

“We have a long ways to go to where we want to be at the end of the year from where we are right now,” he said. “We knew that would be the case (when we got started.)”

Still, Jones noted he saw so many positives that it was difficult to pick five. But it was easy to choose the most encouraging part of the past two days: the number of players wearing helmets.

In all, it was 129 representing grades 9-12.

“We had a good number of kids show up,” he said. “That’s probably the biggest number we’ve had in 12 to 14 years.”

Another positive is that starting quarterback Austin Moore used the offseason to get into the best shape he could. And it shows, Jones said.

“He transformed his body a lot,” he said. “It’s the best shape I’ve seen him in.”

There’s nothing else the quarterback does to surprise the head coach, Jones said, noting a year of experience means a familiarity with the offense that wasn’t there last August.

“He was a student trying to figure things out on reads and progressions,” the coach said. “He’s farther along.”

Moore has an 11-3 record as a starter, including three playoff wins.

But Moore wasn’t the only skill-position player making an impact. Jones said the receivers and other skill-position athletes are more comfortable than in August 2014. Fans could see that in the way they attacked parts of plays during practice. The Bulldogs hustled to return to quarterback and receiving lines. They were quick to change formations based off what play new offensive coordinator Jerod Rye shouted. And there wasn’t any time spent on moving players to the correct spots; players already knew where to go.

“We have great experienced skill players who are more savvy,” Jones said.

The Bulldogs will have five new offensive linemen starting this year for new offensive line coach Justin Reeves. Jones said the players and Reeves are building rapport.

“They’ve been working hard,” he said. “I think they love him. Coach Reeves is a people person, he’s a go-getter. It’s been great.”

As for the defense, the coach said he is enjoying watching the unit work. He credits defensive coordinator Kevin Hall, who also is the defensive backs coach, and coach Stephen Shipley for the sharpness of the unit.

“They’re doing some good stuff, too, especially our back seven, back eight,” Jones said. “Their calls are coming in and looking smooth.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com