Football: Burleson riding high after first playoff victory

Permian better be ready to get its knuckles bloody this Friday night.

Five consecutive weeks of speedy, wide-open offenses are over.

Burleson wants to keep things on the ground.

The Elks (5-6) have only averaged 51.4 yards passing per game this year, a paltry figure based more on opportunity than ineptitude.

Burleson starting quarterback Brice Warren has only thrown 32 passes this season.

Forget the spread. Burleson likes to build a cloud of dust under the legs of its wing-T.

"The wing-T is our offense of choice," Burleson head coach Mel Maxfield said. "It fits the needs of our kids, but it's the also the offense I believe in. I've been running the wing-T for 22 years."

Like most offenses that stay grounded, Burleson spreads its carries around.

But two Elks are responsible for most of the burden.

Fullback Blake Smith has gained 1,074 yards and nine touchdowns on 217 carries this season, and running back James Owen has added 897 yards and six touchdowns.

Together the pair has accounted for two-thirds of Burleson's rushing yards.

"We ask our backs to do a lot," Maxfield said. "Both guys have good hands, they can block, and run. They've blocked well for each other."

Teams like Burleson don't pass very often.

And that makes the Elks' passing game dangerous.

Warren only completed two passes during last week's 26-21 Class 5A Division I bi-district playoff win over Arlington Martin, but the coaching staff picked the right time to air things out.

Smith caught both passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns.

"The few times they did throw, there were some people open deep down the field," Permian head coach Darren Allman said. "That's what wing-T teams want to do."

And Burleson has plenty of momentum heading into this weekend's matchup against the Panthers.

Beating Arlington Martin wasn't just another playoff victory for Burleson.

It was the first time the Elks have won a Class 5A playoff game, although Burleson has been to the playoffs in four of Maxfield's seven years at the school.

"The kids were ecstatic, because we've had to face some adversity this season," Maxfield said. "We played a tough non-district schedule, and we had to replace 20 starters. Our battle scars have helped us along the way."

Four of Burleson's first five opponents - Mansfield, Justin Northwest, Abilene High and Class 4A Arlington Seguin - made the playoffs this season.

So the Elks know what it's like to play against top-caliber programs.

Burleson also knows the larger-than-life mystique that comes with playing Permian.

"We understand the strength of our opposition," Maxfield said. "Our dream goals as a program are to get to those kinds of heights."

Playoff wins build prestige.

Especially a playoff win over a perennial state power that is ranked No. 4 in the state.

Burleson will try to take it by force.