2025 Preview: Burke Bulldogs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snapping a 21-game losing streak over three seasons was a high point for Burke in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, head coach Earl Brown is seeking to make the Bulldogs even more competitive this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“(We need to) continue to compete, qualify for the playoffs and let the chips fall where they may,” he said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With three players battling to start at quarterback, Brown may lean early on his experienced senior players on defense. After playing on the defensive line last season, <strong>Hayden Swibaker</strong> (pictured) looks to make the transition to linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He and <strong>Cordell Scriven</strong> are also one of the few returning offensive linemen from last year's senior-laden group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bulked up defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809246' first='Horatio' last='Vice-Parson']</strong> will provide pressure from the edge. He was one of the bright spots upfront for a defense that gave up 32 points a contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Varsity newcomer <strong>Ki'Rell Manigault </strong>will look to make an immediate impact at defensive back. The 5-foot-9, 150-pound rising junior has shown an ability and agility to keep up with fast wide receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense, running back <strong>Jaquan Moore </strong>shows potential as a playmaker. With an offense that averaged only 9.3 points last season, the hope is he'll be able to provide a consistent ground game as the Bulldogs work in a new starting quarterback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Currently, <strong>D'cameron Amos</strong> appears to have the edge over fellow rising sophomore <strong>Sheldon Wright</strong> and rising senior <strong>Kamari Taylor</strong> to start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hayden Swibaker </strong>LB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A reliable athlete with vast experience on both sides of the football, Swibaker has seen time at tackle, center and defensive end. He plays with tenacity and looks to bring the same attitude to the linebacker spot. He's worked diligently in the weight room to increase his weightlifting reps.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ki'Rell Manigault</strong> DB, 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-9, 150-pound rising junior is making his varsity debut. He's shown an ability to pick up defensive schemes quickly and brought leadership qualities from junior varsity. Head coach Earl Brown said Manigault has a knack of catching up to the football. He also possesses good jumping ability and wants to improve his mental game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>D'cameron Amos </strong>ATH, 2028 – Entering the season, the 5-foot-10 rising sophomore was positioned to play safety or tight end. He's now emerged as a potential starting quarterback for the Bulldogs. Look for head coach Earl Brown to use Amos' athleticism to give opponents a different look on offense. With <strong>Sheldon Wright</strong> and <strong>Kamari Taylor</strong> available, Amos should remain active in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1809246' first='Horatio' last='Vice-Parson']</strong> DL 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5-foot-11, 225-pound rising junior was among the team's leading tacklers last season. He's one of the beneficiaries of the team's off-season conditioning program. Vice-Parson has put on 25 pounds of muscle over the past three seasons. This season, he'll be utilized at center on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19500110/6761de29511ef8770582ae17' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68803e1ea6729"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Allen Rouse </strong>RB – One of the Bulldogs' leading rushers and receivers out of the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chad Joe</strong> OL – At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, he was one of the team's most formidable tackles on the offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shermane Wittrell</strong> TE/LB– Wittrell was active on both sides of the ball last fall for Burke. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaquan Moore</strong> RB, 2028 – The rising sophomore can potentially make noise at the position, according to head coach Earl Brown. Despite playing football for the first time, Moore's size and natural ability is expected to give him an advantage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ka'mari Taylor","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Burke","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68803e1ea817f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The two-sport rising senior is battling for the starting job at quarterback. He possesses similar athletic attributes as <strong>D'Cameron Amous</strong>. He's also demonstrated his open field tackling ability at strong safety. Such versatility should ease any concerns about depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18321393/64977123478e340b34dc22a1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68803e1ea81cb"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->