2024 Team Preview: Burnsville Blaze

The Burnsville Blaze football team finished 2-7 last season, and are coming off their 5th straight losing season. Despite the team's struggles over the last few seasons, Burnsville is entering the 2024 season with plenty of promise to compete well against the Metro-Maroon division, which sits right now as a wild-card group among the Metro conference. The Blaze will be aided by the leadership of several young, versatile players who've shown plenty of potential and will bolster the roster heading into this season to give the Blaze the leverage needed to win bigger games. Here are 6 players that will spark the team and help the Blaze this season!    [player_tooltip player_id='1289981' first='Caleb' last='Kamara'] is already shaping to be a top prospect from Burnsville. He perfectly fits for the Blaze as a lightning-fast athlete, posting a 4.43 40 yard dash time. Last season, Kamara ran for 426 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry, while adding 8 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. Kamara is dangerous in the outside zone-run scheme, and he will outrun the entire defense once he breaks out into the open-field. Kamara's quickness allows him to burst through gaps before the defenders can get there to close it down, and poses great as a checkdown-option in the passing game, guaranteeing to post excellent YAC numbers. Kamara will be the most dangerous weapon for the Blaze' offense for the next 2 years, and he should become very much sought-after by the end of his junior year with his NFL-ready speed.     With senior QB Jeremy Sherlock becoming more involved in the run game last season, this opened more reps for Andrew Dickhausen to lead the way in the passing game. During the year, Dickhausen showed talent in his arm strength, slinging beautiful deep passes down the field with just a flick of the hand. Dickhausen showed growing confidence under center last season: reading his progressions well, scrambling when the pocket collapses, and keeping his eyes down-field. Who knows how high the ceiling will be for Dickhausen this season, and it could help Burnsville propel toward the top of the division in 2024.     [player_tooltip player_id='1144366' first='Dane' last='Heinen'] is a dangerous deep-threat for Burnsville's growing passing game. Heinen played most effective last season when he was sent vertically down the field, showing excellent speed and release on his routes. Heinen utilizes fluid movement and body control when adjusting for catches and accelerates quick after the catch. Heinen plays with a high football IQ, adjusting his routes on the fly to get open for his QB. After earning 1st-team All-District honors last season, Heinen received attention from several D2 and D3 teams, as well as 2 FCS teams, Portland State and Montana. Heinen is slated to post big numbers in 2024 pairing up with senior Andrew Dickhausen, and could end up skyrocketing in the prospect leaderboards as a result.     Ben Watson has been listed as an OLB/Safety hybrid for the Blaze. Watson possesses intriguing athleticism, with a 405 lb max squat, 455 lb max deadlift, and a 4.68 40 yard dash time. Watson was all over the field last season, finishing with 46 tackles, 7 TFLs, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Watson is a game-breaker when he gets into the back-field, making good reads and disrupting the play, showing great strength in stripping the ball out of the ball-carrier's hands. Watson is an excellent pass-rusher, showing solid handwork against blockers, and also plays well in pass-coverage. Watson has received looks from several D1 teams, including Iowa State, North Dakota, and Northern Iowa. Watson's fluid versatility is enticing, and I hope that Burnsville continues to find ways for him to help the Blaze win games in 2024.     Rachon Ferguson-Lewis is a two-sport standout as a team-captain playing first-base for Burnsville's baseball team, and showing potential as a versatile defender on the football team. Splitting between both OLB and DE, Lewis' taller, leaner frame may fit him better at LB than on the trenches. Either way, Lewis has been a great pass-rusher, proving difficult to contain even when double-teamed. Lewis has been excellent in pursuit, contains the run well, and has the speed and agility to hold his own in man coverage as well. Lewis is another hybrid-defender to watch for on the Blaze in 2024.     Burnsville has one of the most potent LB corps in the Metro division, and Sammy Dutcher has been another emerging standout among that group. Dutcher didn't get a lot of playing time last season, but he flashed with his high-octane energy and physical tackling ability that made him an asset in the run-defense. Dutcher also has the quickness to close the gap between the ball-carrier before they can break away a long run. Dutcher will get a lot more playing time in his senior year in 2024, and we will see a lot more of his flashy potential come together on the field with that.

The Burnsville Blaze football team finished 2-7 last season, and are coming off their 5th straight losing season. Despite the team's struggles over the last few seasons, Burnsville is entering the 2024 season with plenty of promise to compete well against the Metro-Maroon division, which sits right now as a wild-card group among the Metro conference. The Blaze will be aided by the leadership of several young, versatile players who've shown plenty of potential and will bolster the roster heading into this season to give the Blaze the leverage needed to win bigger games. Here are 6 players that will spark the team and help the Blaze this season!