Photo By Team - #56 Judson Mathis
Written by Brandon Hill
Conference competition got the best of the Burley Bobcats in 2019.
With a winless West Pod record, the Bobcats tanked to the bottom of the conference standings, beating out only Wood River in the 4A Great Basin.
The season was a microcosm of trials and tribulations for the Bobcats in league play. In six consecutive years, the Bobcats failed to win a single conference game, a trend second-year Head Coach Dylan Corless hopes to erase.
Corless said his team’s combination of new blood and veteran experience should make for a competitive Burley team that looks much different from previous years.
“Our offense has become more dynamic as we have built onto what we installed last year,” he said.
Corless said he’ll be without many reliable playmakers form last year’s team, including Ethan Gibbons, a three-year starting quarterback for the Bobcats. Burley also lost Tate Garrad, a true dynamic offensive threat, Luis Gomez in the secondary and Franklyn Tilley on both sides of the ball.
“Tate Garrard’s drive and desire to win will be missed deeply. Tate was our answer to most everything. If we needed somebody to go in anywhere, he was the first person to jump at the opportunity,” Corless said. “Luis Gomez was a true talent. A ballhawk at free safety as well as a very gifted running back and kicker. He leaves a huge spot to fill in every aspect of our game.”
In their place, Corless will call upon a host of raw talent, players who have yet to earn their salt at the varsity level.
“Ramsey Trevino will be replacing Luis Gomez at free safety. We expect him to have an immediate impact due to the energy and intelligence that he brings with him,” Corless said. “Kevin Hernandez will have an immediate impact in our pass rush. His speed and strength will create a huge challenge for the offensive lineman across from him. Jesus Cruze’s work ethic has helped him develop into a dominant force on the offensive and defensive lines.”
In the front office, Corless brought in some extra brainpower to help prepare for gameday. Calvin Pruett joins the staff to help coach the defensive line, while Josh Creasy will mentor Gibbon’s replacement.
“Both former offensive and defensive coordinators bring an abundance of football knowledge and intensity to this program,” Corless said.
On defense, Corless and company will try to work off last season’s bright spots. When the Bobcats won, they won big, posting an average margin of victory of 33 points in three games. The defense’s best showing came against Wood River, where the Bobcats held the Wolverines scoreless while racking up 57 points themselves.
Trevino, senior linebacker Jake Braken and senior defensive back McCray Mort will look to help replicate that success all year long.
“Ramsey Trevino will be replacing Luis Gomez at free safety. We expect him to have an immediate impact due to the energy and intelligence that he brings with him,” Corless said. “Jake Bracken brings a huge amount of energy with him and is intimidated by nobody. McCray Mort will bring an athleticism and intensity that will make it difficult for any receiver lined up opposite.”
Check back with IdahoSports.com for updated Burley scores and schedules throughout the season.