BurnetBulldog
11-29-2003, 09:31 AM
Burnet's Chris Levens a team player on an excellent team
Senior tailback a major, yet understated, offensive contributor
By Rick Cantu
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, November 28, 2003
BURNET -- As the team captains strode to the middle of the field for the opening coin toss this year, someone in green and white was conspicuously missing.
Chris Levens declined a spot in the weekly ceremony all season. It doesn't take five players to call heads or tails, but that's not why the senior running back keeps his feet planted near the sideline.
"It feels weird to be up there," Levens said. "I don't want to feel like I'm leaving my teammates behind."
That symbolizes Levens' role this year for Burnet, the state's top-ranked Class 3A football team.
Levens is a humble and worthy captain, a major contributor to the offense, but someone who does not mind being overshadowed by marquee players Stephen McGee and Jordan Shipley.
McGee and Shipley are bona fide generals, two of the best high school players in Texas. McGee is a future Aggie and Shipley a future Longhorn, but don't think that Levens is jealous that Burnet's dynamic duo gets most of the credit for the school's 26-1 record the past two seasons.
"Jordan and Stephen are two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet," Levens said after Wednesday's practice.
But no one in Burnet dismisses Levens' contributions.
Levens has complemented the air attack by rushing for 1,121 yards and 18 touchdowns. He ranks third on the team with 15 receptions, an average of 22 yards a catch, and has scored three touchdowns through the air.
"Chris has always accepted his role on this team, no matter what it's been," Coach Bob Shipley said.
Levens was the starting fullback for a team than went 14-1 last season, but shifted to tailback for a game when last year's starter Patrick Miller was injured. --I think this was when P. Miller's grandfather passed away...don't believe he was ever injured last year.
Levens responded by rushing for 130 yards in a victory over Wimberley. So when Miller graduated, leaving a major void in the offensive backfield, Levens was the logical choice to take the job.
After a slow start this season, Levens began to find openings behind his blockers, namely Eddie Rollman, Jacob Thomas, Thomas Kennedy, Cody Longoria and Clayton Trahan.
Burnet (12-0), which continues its playoff march today with a state quarterfinal game against Sinton, tied a team record by scoring 70 points last week against Wharton. Playing with flu symptoms, Levens scored three touchdowns.
The Bulldogs are the top-ranked offense in Central Texas, averaging 456 yards a game -- 280 through the air, 176 on the ground.
With three more victories, beginning today in Corpus Christi, Burnet will fulfill its chief team goal -- bringing a state championship trophy back to Burnet.
If Levens has one drawback, it can be found in his football locker. Behind the helmet, uniform, game films, socks and cleats are a pair of items that have not been washed this year. After some early-season fumbles, Levens began to wear black gloves and black sleeves to help him protect the football. Fumbling isn't a problem anymore.
Senior tailback a major, yet understated, offensive contributor
By Rick Cantu
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, November 28, 2003
BURNET -- As the team captains strode to the middle of the field for the opening coin toss this year, someone in green and white was conspicuously missing.
Chris Levens declined a spot in the weekly ceremony all season. It doesn't take five players to call heads or tails, but that's not why the senior running back keeps his feet planted near the sideline.
"It feels weird to be up there," Levens said. "I don't want to feel like I'm leaving my teammates behind."
That symbolizes Levens' role this year for Burnet, the state's top-ranked Class 3A football team.
Levens is a humble and worthy captain, a major contributor to the offense, but someone who does not mind being overshadowed by marquee players Stephen McGee and Jordan Shipley.
McGee and Shipley are bona fide generals, two of the best high school players in Texas. McGee is a future Aggie and Shipley a future Longhorn, but don't think that Levens is jealous that Burnet's dynamic duo gets most of the credit for the school's 26-1 record the past two seasons.
"Jordan and Stephen are two of the nicest guys you'll ever meet," Levens said after Wednesday's practice.
But no one in Burnet dismisses Levens' contributions.
Levens has complemented the air attack by rushing for 1,121 yards and 18 touchdowns. He ranks third on the team with 15 receptions, an average of 22 yards a catch, and has scored three touchdowns through the air.
"Chris has always accepted his role on this team, no matter what it's been," Coach Bob Shipley said.
Levens was the starting fullback for a team than went 14-1 last season, but shifted to tailback for a game when last year's starter Patrick Miller was injured. --I think this was when P. Miller's grandfather passed away...don't believe he was ever injured last year.
Levens responded by rushing for 130 yards in a victory over Wimberley. So when Miller graduated, leaving a major void in the offensive backfield, Levens was the logical choice to take the job.
After a slow start this season, Levens began to find openings behind his blockers, namely Eddie Rollman, Jacob Thomas, Thomas Kennedy, Cody Longoria and Clayton Trahan.
Burnet (12-0), which continues its playoff march today with a state quarterfinal game against Sinton, tied a team record by scoring 70 points last week against Wharton. Playing with flu symptoms, Levens scored three touchdowns.
The Bulldogs are the top-ranked offense in Central Texas, averaging 456 yards a game -- 280 through the air, 176 on the ground.
With three more victories, beginning today in Corpus Christi, Burnet will fulfill its chief team goal -- bringing a state championship trophy back to Burnet.
If Levens has one drawback, it can be found in his football locker. Behind the helmet, uniform, game films, socks and cleats are a pair of items that have not been washed this year. After some early-season fumbles, Levens began to wear black gloves and black sleeves to help him protect the football. Fumbling isn't a problem anymore.