BURLESON ELKS
Shock the system
When Phillip Tanner walked through the door as Burleson’ s new head coach in a suit and tie, the Elks recognized the demeanor, the swagger and the high standard exuding from the former NFL running back.
Once an offensive coordinator for Burleson for two seasons( 2020-21) under former head coach Jon Kitna, Tanner left the Elks to take the head coaching position at Fort Worth Southwest in 2022.
A one-and-done season for Chad Worrell in 2023, where Burleson went 2-8, left many players with a lack of motivation.
Despite it being their third head coach in three years, many Elks, like wide receiver Jayden Hernandez, felt the“ huge culture shock” once Tanner returned to Burleson.
Familiar with the 2025 senior class, who were freshmen before Tanner’ s departure, defensive linemen Donya Armstrong thought Tanner came in at the perfect time. Moreover, for linebacker Lawson Blanchard, it was good to have someone who knew the flow of Burleson.
“ He’ s a phenomenal coach,” said cornerback Jayden Flournoy about his new head coach.“ He gave us energy. He’ s there for us no matter what and he’ s always going to be there for us. He’ s ride or die.”
Entering 2024, the odds were stacked against the team. Tanner didn’ t install the offense until the summer and outsiders predicted Burleson to have a winless season. Blocking out the outside noise and expecting more for themselves, the Elks went 4-6, with three wins coming in District 3-5A play.
“ It was a matter of not proving everyone wrong; it was proving us right,” Blanchard said.“ It doesn’ t matter what everyone else thinks; it matters what we think.”
Tanner recalled that week six was the time when he felt the team start rolling. Although missing out on the playoffs with a sixth-place finish in the standings, strong showings against Mansfield Summit and Timberview, along with a redemption win over Everman to close out the year, left the Elks carrying momentum into 2025.
“ It’ s exciting, but not surprising,” said Tanner about Burleson’ s progress.
Offense
With a year under their belt of grasping the offense, quarterback Andrew Sparks senses the growth in maturity and chemistry.
Much like the feeling when Tanner first arrived, the head coach forecasts an“ energy shift” and“ true evaluation” of the offense in 2025. We’ ll play fast,” Tanner
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