LH Panther Mom
08-17-2005, 08:55 AM
No. 9 Wimberley: The Buck stops here
All-state lineman Burnette plans to go out with a bang before heading to UT.
By Andre' Shannon
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
WIMBERLEY — High school football players from Class 3A schools don't ordinarily draw the same degree of high-profile attention that Division I recruiters heap upon Class 5A and 4A recruits.
Then again, Buck Burnette — Wimberley's massive, all-state tackle — is no ordinary player.
A first-team all-state selection last year as a junior, the 6-foot-3-inch, 300-pound offensive tackle became the first player to verbally commit to the University of Texas' 2006 recruiting class. Now that he's gotten that choice out of the way, Burnette has shifted his focus to his senior season at Wimberley.
"I'm pumped up about committing to Texas early. It took a load off my shoulders as far as recruiting," Burnette said. "This year I can play and have fun.
"There was speculation last year whether I was going to be able to play Division I because I'm from a 3A school, so this year I'll be able to concentrate on being a human highlight reel."
Wimberley, which has produced back-to-back 8-4 seasons — including last year's District 27-3A championship — is the No. 9-ranked team in the Central Texas preseason football poll, as voted upon by members of the Austin American-Statesman staff.
Burnette, one of nine offensive starters coming back, is a big reason why the Texans are ranked. But he's just part of the story.
Quarterback John Weldon, who threw for more than 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, is back. So is running back Michael Buso, who rushed for 473 yards and eight touchdowns in limited action. Six defensive starters return, including all-state linebacker Jacob Biddle, who was in on 170 tackles last season.
In all, Wimberley returns 15 starters.
"When you have a seasoned ball club like we do, you've got to feel good that all of your holes are pretty much filled," said Wimberley Coach Weldon Nelms. "We have a tight-knit group that has come up through the ranks together."
There are 30 seniors on the team this season. Nelms said he feels good about that senior leadership, and one player in particular — Burnette — is a special talent, on and off the field.
The son of Grady Burnette — an All-Southwest Conference lineman at SMU who blocked for Eric Dickerson and Craig James during the famed "Pony Express" days of the 1980s — Buck is blessed with size and ability, Nelms said. He's the complete package.
"As a football player, he is extraordinary. But as a human, he's a great young man," Nelms said. "If you were a dad and could pick a son, any dad would be proud to have him."
Having a father as pedigreed as Burnette, however, certainly doesn't hurt.
"My dad influences me a lot, and I respect him so much," Burnette said. "His opinions and suggestions mean a lot to me."
It's one thing to block for two future NFL running backs. It's another to watch your son grow into a big-time college prospect on his own.
"He's got enthusiasm for the game and he's mature," Grady Burnette said. "It's more exciting for me to watch him than it was for me to do it."
No. 9 Wimberley
Coach: Weldon Nelms
Last 5 years: 43-17
2004: 8-4; Class 3A, Div. I area finalists
2004 offense: 26.0 points per game
2004 defense: 12.3 points per game
Hello: LB Jacob Biddle, OT Buck Burnette, QB John Weldon, DB/WR Riley Allen
Goodbye: RB D.J. Goldstein, LB Ray Skunda
First game: Aug. 26, Luling
Why the Texans are No. 9: Defense, defense, defense. Last year's "Code Red" unit keyed the team's playoff season. Biddle, an all-state linebacker, is back to help the Texans battle Liberty Hill for the District 27-3A title.
AAS story (http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/08/16Wimberley.html)
All-state lineman Burnette plans to go out with a bang before heading to UT.
By Andre' Shannon
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
WIMBERLEY — High school football players from Class 3A schools don't ordinarily draw the same degree of high-profile attention that Division I recruiters heap upon Class 5A and 4A recruits.
Then again, Buck Burnette — Wimberley's massive, all-state tackle — is no ordinary player.
A first-team all-state selection last year as a junior, the 6-foot-3-inch, 300-pound offensive tackle became the first player to verbally commit to the University of Texas' 2006 recruiting class. Now that he's gotten that choice out of the way, Burnette has shifted his focus to his senior season at Wimberley.
"I'm pumped up about committing to Texas early. It took a load off my shoulders as far as recruiting," Burnette said. "This year I can play and have fun.
"There was speculation last year whether I was going to be able to play Division I because I'm from a 3A school, so this year I'll be able to concentrate on being a human highlight reel."
Wimberley, which has produced back-to-back 8-4 seasons — including last year's District 27-3A championship — is the No. 9-ranked team in the Central Texas preseason football poll, as voted upon by members of the Austin American-Statesman staff.
Burnette, one of nine offensive starters coming back, is a big reason why the Texans are ranked. But he's just part of the story.
Quarterback John Weldon, who threw for more than 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, is back. So is running back Michael Buso, who rushed for 473 yards and eight touchdowns in limited action. Six defensive starters return, including all-state linebacker Jacob Biddle, who was in on 170 tackles last season.
In all, Wimberley returns 15 starters.
"When you have a seasoned ball club like we do, you've got to feel good that all of your holes are pretty much filled," said Wimberley Coach Weldon Nelms. "We have a tight-knit group that has come up through the ranks together."
There are 30 seniors on the team this season. Nelms said he feels good about that senior leadership, and one player in particular — Burnette — is a special talent, on and off the field.
The son of Grady Burnette — an All-Southwest Conference lineman at SMU who blocked for Eric Dickerson and Craig James during the famed "Pony Express" days of the 1980s — Buck is blessed with size and ability, Nelms said. He's the complete package.
"As a football player, he is extraordinary. But as a human, he's a great young man," Nelms said. "If you were a dad and could pick a son, any dad would be proud to have him."
Having a father as pedigreed as Burnette, however, certainly doesn't hurt.
"My dad influences me a lot, and I respect him so much," Burnette said. "His opinions and suggestions mean a lot to me."
It's one thing to block for two future NFL running backs. It's another to watch your son grow into a big-time college prospect on his own.
"He's got enthusiasm for the game and he's mature," Grady Burnette said. "It's more exciting for me to watch him than it was for me to do it."
No. 9 Wimberley
Coach: Weldon Nelms
Last 5 years: 43-17
2004: 8-4; Class 3A, Div. I area finalists
2004 offense: 26.0 points per game
2004 defense: 12.3 points per game
Hello: LB Jacob Biddle, OT Buck Burnette, QB John Weldon, DB/WR Riley Allen
Goodbye: RB D.J. Goldstein, LB Ray Skunda
First game: Aug. 26, Luling
Why the Texans are No. 9: Defense, defense, defense. Last year's "Code Red" unit keyed the team's playoff season. Biddle, an all-state linebacker, is back to help the Texans battle Liberty Hill for the District 27-3A title.
AAS story (http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/08/16Wimberley.html)