By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
Perhaps it’s in his blood.
Day in and day out, Burlington junior quarterback Brad Burling’s dad Eric leads an entire school as principal at Burlington High School.
On the football field, Brad is leading his teammates. And based on Friday night’s showing, he passed his first varsity start with flying colors.
Brad, who found out he won the team’s three-headed QB competition, at least for this week, calmly completed six of nine passes with a touchdown to help lead the Demons to a 22-7 nonconference victory over host Racine Case.
“I was a little nervous going in,” Brad Burling said. “I felt good after the first few drives, though. I threw a lot this summer. We have potential. We can do a lot of good things.”
Burling’s passing efficiency complemented the team’s traditional, smashmouth style. Nobody put up monster numbers, but five running backs averaged 4 yards per carry.
“Brad managed the game well and ran a lot of checks,” Burlington coach Hans Block said. “He did fine. I was hoping to get (Mark) Wallace in, but Wallace played every down on defense.”
Block said it was a throwback performance.
“We had a tough time handling Case,” he said. “But our kids stepped up and did what we needed to do to get the win. It was old-fashioned Burlington football. It was a slug fest.”
Block referred to a game-clinching, 65-yard drive late in the fourth quarter.
After a series of short runs, Larry Meeks sealed the deal with 3:35 left from one yard out on third down to make it 21-7. Brian Dankle tacked on the extra point.
Meeks led the Demons with 68 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
James Tully got Burlington on the board in the first quarter with a red-zone touchdown catch.
Wyatt Miller left the game with a knee injury and walked off the field on crutches. Block said he didn’t know the injury’s severity.
Block said the team’s defense was key. He was pleased with the pass coverage.
Burlington travels to Hammes Field again next week to face Racine Horlick.
“We need to build upon this,” Block said. “Horlick is very good. Our depth and our inexperience at the skills positions could hurt us. We lost some really good players, and it will take a little bit of time for guys to step in.”
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