Burnet’s Austin Moore gains quickness, confidence at QB

JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER

BURNET — After leading the Burnet High School football team to three postseason victories and a share of the District 13-4A Division I championship in 2014, some might not blame senior quarterback Austin Moore if he relaxed during his offseason.

After all, this time last year he and former teammate Taylor Barksdale were battling for the starting job.

Once Moore was named the starter, he compiled an 11-3 record with 254 completions for 4,020 yards, 36 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

But instead of resting on his laurels and admiring the trophy case, Moore set out to improve himself.

At the top of his list was losing 20 pounds to drop to 185. He credits head coach Kurt Jones for the weight loss. During a meeting, Moore said Jones recommended the quarterback consider shedding the weight to help him be more mobile and quick to extend plays.

“I’m trying to stay lean and trim,” he said with a smile. “Coach Jones said transform my body.”

Second on the list, Moore reviewed film of the Bulldogs’ 2014 season. He watched himself with the aim of recalling how he was feeling during specific plays to learn more about his mindset.

“I was shell-shocked in my first varsity game (a 51-45 overtime win at Marble Falls),” he said. “It was a lot quicker pace.”

But not now. During the intersquad scrimmage Aug. 8, all the elements of Moore’s offseason came together. And his transformation prompted one fan to ask a group of local sports writers if Moore was indeed the quarterback behind center.

And the Bulldogs are reaping the rewards. While the defense is not allowed to tackle quarterbacks, Moore is making sound decisions.

In short, the game has slowed down for him.

He is spending less time in the pocket when the defense has his receivers covered. He is quicker to get away from defenders who are seeking him out. And by doing that, the rapport with the quarterback and receivers is evident because they all know what to do when Moore is running. They’re able to get open and turn what looks like a big play for the defense into a demoralizing play instead.

As defensive coordinator Kevin Hall stood on the sideline to watch the scrimmage, he began talking as soon as the ball was snapped.

Moore saw a weakness in the secondary and burned the defense for an explosive play as he ran to his left to complete the pass.

“We got what we deserved,” Hall said loud enough for spectators to hear as he began walking toward his secondary to show them what they did wrong and how Moore was able to quickly identify it.

Moore, meanwhile, stood with the offense and coordinator Jerod Rye, who was going through the playbook.

“To me, you have to have a quarterback who’s comfortable,” Jones said. “We feel like he’s matured to that point where he knows what we want and what we’re looking for.”

While Moore and the majority of the starting receivers return, the Bulldogs are looking for a new starting running back and five new offensive linemen.

While they might be inexperienced in their positions, in the system or on the varsity level, Moore said he has played with the offensive linemen in the past. And he’s not worried about the running back spot thanks to Brock Foster, a longtime Bulldog, and Preston Reeves, the son of new offensive line coach Justin Reeves.

“I’ve been working all summer with the line,” Moore said. “It’s a day-to-day process.”     

Burnet welcomes Llano for a scrimmage Aug. 14 at Bulldog Field, 1000 The Green Mile. Sub-varsities take the field at 6 p.m. with varsity to follow at 7:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs start the 2015 season by hosting Marble Falls with kickoff at 7:30 pm. Aug. 28.

jfierro@thepicayune.com