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Burdick, Kennedy In Each Other's Head

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By SCOTT PURKS

Tribune correspondent

Published: September 4, 2008

RUSKIN - They have been beaten, smashed, scrunched and leveled - and it has happened for the better part of two years while they were skinny, light and relatively weak - and yet these Lennard Longhorns have stuck together.

Two of Lennard's unquestioned leaders, senior quarterback Andrew Burdick and senior wide receiver Blake Kennedy, say it goes way deeper than that.

"All the tough times we've had have made us stronger," Burdick said. "All but one of our starters returned from last year and all those players have come back excited. We feel like we're ready to step up and compete much better this year - much, much better."

Kennedy said, "I guarantee we'll be better. Guar-an-tee."

Right in the center of the upsurge will be Burdick and Kennedy, who helped keep the attitude up through last season's 1-9 campaign.

This season, behind a bigger, stronger, more cohesive line, look for much more of Burdick (1,400 yards passing in 2007) throwing to Kennedy (52 catches for almost 800 yards) - particularly because the Longhorns will be running the spread offense and Burdick and Kennedy are stronger and faster.

To look at them - Burdick is a thin 5-foot-7 and Kennedy a thin 5-11 - is not so intimidating, especially when they turn on those huge grins, which so often stretch across their faces.

But get them on the football field - and watch out.

Then it's all game face.

When the action starts it's a beautiful synchronization between Burdick and Kennedy, who just happen to be best friends, hanging out with each other's families on the holidays and at Super Bowl parties.

"When Blake is out there running I know exactly what kind of a move he's going to make," Burdick said. "It's like we don't ever have to even think about it."

Kennedy said, "It's like we're inside each other's heads."

The bottom line, Burdick said, is they hope to enjoy this season as much as possible, their last in the program they helped start. They also hope to make the playoffs and play well enough to get more colleges looking at them (Burdick is thinking more along Division II lines while Kennedy has had some interest from South Florida and Florida Atlantic University among others).

"We can't wait to get started," Kennedy said.

Burdick said, "It's the greatest thing in the world, getting under those Friday night lights. We know this is the time of our lives. I mean, we are absolutely loving all of this."

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