Football: Run game, Burroughs highlight reel play lead Bolles past Monarch in opener

FORT LAUDERDALE — The high school football regular season was just a few house old when Bolles senior wide receiver Naeem Burroughs produced a highlight worthy of Play of the Year consideration.

Burroughs, a Clemson commit ranked No. 8 on the USA Today Florida Network top 100, broke or eluded seven tackles on a 52-yard touchdown catch midway through the second quarter of the Bulldogs 34-15 win over Monarch at Dillard High School on Aug. 21.

Bolles sophomore running back Xander Edwards and quarterback Jaden Weatherly each scored two rushing touchdowns in the win.

But it was Burroughs who had the play that everyone buzzing.

With Bolles leading 21-9, Burroughs caught a short pass from Weatherly along the sideline, shook free of two defenders with a spin move, juked three more defenders while running toward the middle of the field, then turned out the jets and outraced a trio of defenders to the end zone. He capped the play but running over a final Monarch defender at the goalline.

“We preach something, ‘Play like you practice,’” said Burroughs, who caught three passes for 91 yards and the score. “I’ve been doing a spin move since I was young and I do it every day in practice. Caught it, got up field, I seen (a defender) coming, spin off him, kept running, just made a play.

“It didn’t really hit me until after the play. Then I was like, ‘Dang, that was crazy.’ But I got to thank God and my teammates. They got upfield and blocked for me. It’s a team effort. It wasn’t just me.”

Bolles, the No. 1 ranked team in Class 2A, starts the season 1-0. Monarch, the No. 8 team in Cass 6A, falls to 0-1.

Here are three takeaways from Bolles’ win.     

1. Bolles’ running game could be special this season

Ok, this really isn’t a big surprise considering the Bulldogs run game has been consistently strong for years. But the duo of Edwards (game-high 153-yards) and Weatherly will create major issues for a defense. Edwards, the son of former NFL fullback Marc Edwards, is a big back at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds but has legit speed — as evidenced by his 61-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. At 6-foot, 225 pounds, Weatherly also has both speed and the ability to run through tackles. Factor in a tough offensive line and this should be an outstanding run game.  

2. The Bulldogs have mistakes they need to clean up

While it was a dominant performance — Bolles scored 27 consecutive points in the second and third quarters to take a 34-9 lead — it had plenty of uncharacteristic mistakes early. The Bulldogs fumbled the opening punt, which led to Monarch’s first score. Bolles’ defense got flagged for a late hit on Monarch’s second drive. Then, following a Burroughs interception in the end zone, Bolles had a bad snap and ultimately fumbled the ball out of the end zone for a safety. These are not typical mistakes for Bolles and things coach Matt Toblin and his staff will want to clean up.

3. Overall, this was a positive first step for Bolles

Minutes after the game, Burroughs talked about the goal of winning a state championship. There’s no denying the team’s talent — Bolles has committed to Ohio State, Clemson and Miami. Bolles is a perennial state contender and open the season at No. 1 in Class 2A. It’s a long way to the finish line and the season will have plenty of twists and turns, but this performance — on the road, long trip, against a team with playoff experience — was a strong first game and one the Bulldogs can build on.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Bolles WR Naeem Burroughs crazy touchdown highlights win over Monarch