By Andrew Petyak

New Castle News

It’s hard to live in the shadow of an older sibling.

It’s even harder to climb out of it.

That was the challenge Ernie Burkes faced after his older brothers, Bobby and Jason, completed successful high school athletic careers. However, with his six-touchdown outburst in Neshannock’s 42-14 dismantling of Jefferson-Morgan in the first round of the WPIAL Class A football playoffs last weekend, the Lancers’ junior quarterback not only stepped out of the shadows, he may have cast his own. Burkes’ performance earned him Lawrence County Athlete of the Week honors, an award sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy and selected by the New Castle News sports staff.

“It feels great to be a part of the first playoff win,” Burkes said “We all worked hard all offseason and during the season. Everyone played their part. Everyone did their role. It just worked out. Hopefully we keep going.

The victory was the first in the WPIAL playoffs in Neshannock High football history, as Burkes looked unstoppable against the Rockets’ defense, rushing for 116 yards on nine carries and passing for 105 yards to go with the six touchdowns. The Lancers will look to get their second playoff win in the WPIAL quarterfinals when they face off against Monessen at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Chartiers-Houston High School.

This also is the second time Burkes is receiving Lawrence County Athlete of the Week honors, the first being for Neshannock’s basketball team as a sophomore.

“It’s a hard transition to each sport,” Burkes said. “I get worn out. Our coaches are really good about that, though, making sure to give me some rest.”

Burkes, who also plays baseball for the Lancers, is the first athlete from his family to play for Neshannock, Bobby and Jason were athletic stars for Union High, as was their father, Bob.

“My dad (Neshannock’s co-athletic director), taught at Neshannock and I always liked the school,” Burkes said. “I wanted to play at Union where my brothers played, but it was better for me to go to a different school and do my own thing and not have to follow in their shadow. It just makes it easier.”

Ernie, whose birth name is David, but whose nickname as the third of three sons comes from the former hit TV show, “My Three Sons,” describes his relationship with his brothers as supportive, yet competitive. He has learned to lean on his brothers for advice and knowledge in football.

“Jason was a running back, so that’s where I think I get my running game from,” Burkes said. “Bobby was a quarterback, he taught me how to throw a little bit and the footwork involved with it. We always root for each other, no matter what we’re doing. Bobby is in medical school, I root for him to do the best he can. Jason plays baseball in college at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. I root for him all the time.”

This blend of running and passing ability has made it hard for other teams to game plan for Burkes, according to Lancers coach Fred Mozzocio.

“It’s pick your poison,” Mozzocio said. “If you’re going to stop him from running, it opens up our perimeter passing game. If you’re going to set the defensive backs in there to stop him, that’s what it does for us. He makes it very hard to play defense against us.”

“One thing Ernie does very well is he improvises things,” he continued. “You can be on the sideline and wonder what he’s doing, and next thing you know he’s running in for a touchdown. If things break down, and it doesn’t happen as it’s drawn up on paper, Ernie can still make things happen with his feet, by biding extra time to get rid of the ball or by running it in himself. He’s got a little Brett Favre gunslinger in him, to say the least.”

For the season, Burkes leads Lawrence County with 1,346 passing yards on 100 of 152 throws with 17 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also is seventh in the county in rushing with 740 yards on 78 carries.

“The six touchdowns came in large part because of our line and our wide receivers doing their jobs and me doing mine,” Burkes said. “That was our goal, to win.”

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THE ERNIE BURKES FILE

Position: Quarterback/defensive back

Team: Neshannock

Grade: 11

Known For: Burkes rushed for 116 and passed for 105 in a six-touchdown performance in Neshannock’s first WPIAL Class A football win in program history in defeating Jefferson-Morgan, 42-7.

Parents: Bob and Marianne Burkes

Favorite Pro Player and Why: Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. “Everyone told him he wasn’t good enough, and he proved everyone wrong. There are people who told me I’d never be good because I’m too short and not fast enough. I worked and I’ve been trying to prove myself ever since to those people.”

Favorite Pro Team and Why: Washington Redskins “I’d say the Redskins because of quarterback Robert Griffin III. I like the way he plays. I try to mirror him running and also passing.”

Future Plans: “I’d probably play basketball in college because that’s what I feel would be easier for me. I also want to follow in my oldest brother’s footsteps and be a doctor.”