‘Enjoy the show’: Montezuma looks to duplicate last season’s football success

MONTEZUMA — Eddie Burgess conveyed a final message about the upcoming football season.

“Enjoy the show,” the all-state quarterback said about third-ranked Montezuma, which opens the season at Iowa Valley on Saturday.

The Braves return their dynamic signal caller and all-around playmaker, the guys in the trenches and some talent ready to fill the void left by all-state receivers Trey Shearer and Cole Watts from a team that led the state with 3,882 passing yards and 97 total touchdowns.

“We’ve got three great wide receivers this year,” Burgess said. “It’s going to be the same story, just different people, if I’m being honest.

“People don’t think we have as good as athletes as Cole and Trey. Obviously, Cole and Trey are two of the best wide receivers that came through 8-man. We’re just going to reload, pick it up and go.”

Montezuma posted a 10-1 record last season, winning a district title and reaching the 8-Player state semifinals. It was one of the program’s most successful seasons and the best finish since a Class 1A runner-up performance in 2006.

“The boys are working hard,” Montezuma first-year head coach John Beck said. “They had a great summer. We averaged most of our team in the weight room.

“When it comes to what we have coming back, I think we’re going to have a pretty good season. I think we’re going to contend for a district title and a playoff spot and who knows what will happen when we got there.”

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Beck has been on staff as an assistant, so he was able to make a smooth transition. He knows what he is inheriting, especially with Burgess.

Burgess has shattered the record books, producing statistics last season that equals two careers for many. He amassed 5,094 all-purpose yards with 89 total TDs. Burgess threw for 3,803 yards and 59 scores.

Burgess also led the Braves with 91 total tackles with 77 solo and 13 for loss.

“He is basically like an extra coach on the field,” Beck said. “He knows our offense inside and out. He knows how to get the ball wherever we need to get it. If there is a hole open, he’ll run it down the middle.

“Defensively, he was our leader, too. He makes the checks and all things we need. We’re looking for him to do some big things for us.”

Burgess has focused on getting stronger and quicker this season. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder addressed being a better leader.

“I need to be better overall,” Burgess said. “Even the young kids on our team, they need help and guidance, so becoming a better leader is what will change me the most this year. I’m excited to see what we have coming.”

The top three targets graduated. Shearer, Watts and Kodie Strong accounted for 188 receptions and 3,608 yards. The Braves will rely on Connor Van Zee, Masin Shearer, Owen Cook and Eli Bustamonte to pick up the slack on the other end of Burgess passes.

“It will be hard to replace what Cole and Trey brought to the table,” Beck said. “I think those guys are really going to step up and do what we need them to do.”

Experience is prominent in the trenches. The Braves return all three starters on the offensive line, two-year center Kennen Roadcap, T.J. Townsend and Jack Brenner. Tod Geiger made a semifinal start offensively and was a second-team defensive lineman. Marty Knox, Zach Bennett and Camden MIchalek could also make an impact.

“We’ve had some good competition with our offensive and defensive line,” Beck said. “All those guys look to play a major role to our offensive line.”

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Montezuma closed last season in an instant classic, 108-94 semifinal loss to Remsen St. Mary’s. The two teams combined for 202 points and 29 TDs and the Braves tallied 804 total yards. Montezuma passed for 744 yards, including a finals record 689 from Burgess. St. Mary’s shut out Fremont-Mills for the championship.

“Seeing them absolute dominate in the finals, we played in the state championship game (and) that’s how we thought about it,” Burgess said. “The championship game was 48-0. It wasn’t even a game. It wasn’t fun to watch. That really sparks us, will push us to do better this year and really finish things off.”

Beck said the Braves are motivated to soothe the sting from last season’s finale. They are determined to return to the UNI-Dome.

“It is a goal of ours,” Beck said. “We have to take it one game at a time, though.”

The first step is at Iowa Valley in Week 0.