By Mike Ramczyk
Acclimating to a new system takes time.
Just ask the Burlington defense.
In the first two games of the Steve Tenhagen era, the unit has allowed 85 points and 750 yards.
The kicker is that the Burlington football offense is explosive to say the least.
Led by dual-threat senior quarterback Brad Burling, Tenhagen’s style of fast-paced, quick-trigger offense has produced nearly 1,000 total yards.
So why aren’t the Demons 2-0?
The little things.
Penalties. Missed tackles. Missed assignments.
On Friday night, after an hour-and-a-half lightning delay, penalties eventually ruined the Demons’ chances for their first win.
Burling hooked up with wide receiver Frankie Hozeska for the rookie receiver’s third touchdown of the game with three minutes left, but Racine Horlick answered with running back Brandon Finley’s fourth touchdown run, which set up Burlington’s last chance.
On the Demons’ final drive, more than four hours after kickoff, a 58-yard Brian Dankle reception was called back due to holding, and an offensive pass interference call ultimately ended the game as Horlick prevailed with a 41-35 victory.
This is the first time since 2000 the Demons have opened a season 0-2.
Next week, things don’t get any easier. Burlington begins the Southern Lakes Conference season with a road showdown with rival Union Grove, which improved to 2-0 with a 28-7 drubbing of Kenosha St. Joe’s Friday night.
Despite the winless start, there are positives abound for the Demons.
Burling had another standout game Friday night, passing for 370 yards and four touchdowns. Also, Hozeska, a 6-foot-3 receiver who hasn’t played football since middle school, has 200 yards receiving and three scores, all of which came Friday night, in two games.
While the ground game only produced 68 yards on 23 carries, senior back Hunter Melby continues to impress. After rushing for 80 yards in Week 1 against Racine Case, Melby totaled 153 yards and a touchdown Friday.
Burlington’s defense allowed 462 total yards Friday, 443 of which came on the ground.
“We just aren’t getting everyone to do their assignments at the same time on each play,” said senior defensive lineman Chris Marks, who also played offensive line because of an illness.
Check out Thursday’s Burlington Standard Press for a full story, including photos and commentary from Tenhagen, Marks, Burling and Hozeska.
Also, visit the Standard Press Sports Facebook page for Burlington football photos and follow Mike Ramczyk @mikeramczyk17 on Twitter.
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