7-on-7 shows Burnet football’s playmakers, battle for starting quarterback
The Burnet High School football team will have a new quarterback in 2023, and players are getting a glimpse of the quarterback competition during 7-on-7 play.
Rhett Murray and Marcus Pimentel are vying for the position while leading the Bulldogs to a 2-1 record during the 7-on-7 State Qualifying Tournament at Bulldog Field May 27.
Burnet defeated Rockdale 33-20 and District 13-4A Division I foe Taylor 27-20 before losing to Gatesville 27-13.
Head coach Bryan Wood noted Murray and Pimentel bring something a little different to the offense that benefits the team.
Coaches will be looking for several traits.
“Throw on time, show confidence and show they get the reads right,” Wood said. “Every 7-on-7 game is a job interview. Take care of the football, run the offense and don’t get us behind the sticks. They understand the scheme and don’t put is in bad situations.”
Equally important, Wood added, is the quarterback’s ability to see the defense and decide if the play that’s called will work.
“You have to get us out of a play,” he said. “Make us look good, like we’ve done it right. Our quarterbacks have the freedom to do that.”
While the Bulldogs may have a new starting quarterback, they’ll have a couple of athletes who will be counted on to for their playmaking abilities.
One is senior Grant Jones who plays a variety of positions: receiver, running back, quarterback, defensive back and returner.
“We’re going to move him around a ton,” Wood said. “He’s got great leadership qualities. He’s quiet and leads by example. From a coaching perspective, he’s a kid we don’t worry about him getting in trouble or making a stupid decision. I’d love for Grant to take on a big role leadership wise and mentorship wise.”
Jones has shown plenty of positives in terms of making plays and encouraging his teammates. Now it’s about sharing his insight and knowledge, Wood said.
Two others are Dash Denton and Trenton Park. Denton was the starting running back and middle linebacker last season, while Park was a receiver.
Wood said the two let their play do the talking for them. Denton is a back who’s hard to catch, hard to tackle and hard to block. Park is simply a gamer who relishes making the difficult receptions in traffic and wowing teammates and fans with his desire to get to the football. In short, if the ball is in the air, Park finds a way to make the catch.
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