TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Streaks Ready To Carry On

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

From left: Martin County Tigers Jamel Pearson (3), Jon Rivera (8) and Matt Diekman (10) tackle Sebring's Daniel Burnett last Friday in Sebring.

ADVERTISEMENT

By BRIAN GJURGEVICH

Highlands Today

Published: September 12, 2008

SEBRING - Daniel Burnett spent most of last year in the stable while All-Heartland football player of the year TJ Williams ran free on Firemen's Field and closed out his senior campaign with more than 1,000 rushing yards.

But now Burnett, with 254 yards on 48 carries combined in Sebring's preseason and opening game, has shown he has the ability to be the Blue Streaks' featured back and workhorse, and according to coach Jared Hamlin, his bruising senior has no problem carrying the load.

"Daniel's running hard and hitting holes with aggression," Hamlin said. "We're starting to see that burst we expect to see out of him. He wasn't the workhorse last year, and now he is.

"And I think he enjoys it because he's a team guy and he'll do whatever we need to do to win."

Hamlin said he threw just nine passes in a 24-3 victory over Martin County last week because he put extra emphasis on being able to move the ball on the ground.

"I got a little hard-headed and wanted to make sure we ran the ball well," Hamlin said. "But I think we could've thrown and been successful."

The Streaks were off to the races right from the beginning in front of the home crowd last week, as JC Howard took the opening kick 91 yards for a touchdown to give Sebring a lead it wouldn't relinquish. Hamlin said Howard is a threat to score "whenever he gets loose" and that combined with great blocking, Howard's speed can help special teams make big plays.

"When you start the game off like that, it lets the air out of their sales," Hamlin said. "Hopefully we can continue to do what we're supposed to do and create some nice seams."

Hamlin said both lines did a fine job controlling the line of scrimmage, and that other than a few things up the middle, his defense has improved. He added he saw a few "blunders" typically reserved for Classic games on some assignments, but as a unit, his entire team has risen to the challenge at practice this week to prevent any further miscues.

"We got a little more intense this week and had more of a workman attitude," Hamlin said. "They're very focused on what they need to do."

Hamlin said the Pirates have quite a bit of speed and good size, and that the Streaks will need to be at their best if they hope to keep a 3-0 record against Pasco perfect.

"It'll be a nice little trip," Hamlin said. "But we're going down there for work and nothing else. They're capable of doing some good things, and have to come and be prepared."

See highlandstoday.com/sports after the game for scores and recaps. See Sunday's Highlands Today for complete coverage, photos and reaction.

Blue Streaks vs. Pirates

At Pasco High School, Dade City

TONIGHT at 7:30

COST $5

Brian Gjurgevich can be reached at 863-386-5841 or bgjurgevich@highlandstoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT