Sumter High's Burson provides electric defense on way to Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week

When Sumter High hosted James Island in the third round of the SCHSL 5A Division I playoffs last week, defense was king.

The Gamecocks struggled to move the ball offensively in the opening half and needed some help from the other side of the ball to get on the board. Jeremiah Burson was happy to oblige.

The senior linebacker provided the first SHS points of the evening when he returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. It was part of an incredible all-around defense performance that also saw Burson rack up 18 tackles and force a fumble as the Gamecocks earned a 34-17 win and punched their tickets to Friday's lower state championship at Summerville. On his way, Burson also earned recognition as the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Week.

"It means a lot," Burson said of the support from the Gamecock faithful. "We need those fans to come to the game and cheer us on."

Burson has a knack for being at the right place at the right time. Head coach Mark Barnes appreciates having a middle linebacker with that nose for the ball and the athleticism to make something happen once he makes the initial play.

"He affects the game in so many ways. He's like a Swiss Army knife, he does so many things," Barnes said. "He's so athletic, he's got great hands, and when he gets the ball, it's like having it in an offensive guy's hands. He plays the run well; he plays the pass well. He can play inside. He can play outside. He gives you the ability to be very multiple because you're good if he's in the box, he's good if they motion him, and he's out of the box in pass coverage. Those guys are hard to find in high school, inside linebackers that can play the run and good at playing the pass."

The senior has been a critical addition back to the middle of the Gamecock defense this fall. Burson transferred to Laurence Manning as a junior to play a season with his older brother, Josiah, but returned to Sumter High this fall with a state championship in mind.

"We hated it when we lost him because he played so much in the playoffs as a sophomore," Barnes said. "When he came back, we asked him to go inside, and his willingness to do that made us a better team. It was a big plus for us, and the way he's played this year, he's gotten better and better as the year has gone on."

He's more than happy to prove that he's just as good in SCHSL 5A ball as he was in SCISA last season.

"They said I'm better at LMA, but the stats and film prove I'm (better here)," Burson said. "I've gotta make it count. It started here in ninth grade; gotta end it here in 12th grade."

Burson's biggest highlight was a matter of instincts. He read the ball and snagged a clean interception, something he's done repeatedly this season. He had the speed to get out to the left boundary and run untouched into the end zone surrounded by a caravan of teammates.

"I read the play, ball fake play-side. I got the pick and had to crib it," Burson said.

The play broke a scoreless tie and gave the Gamecock offense some time to get settled. The offense added one more touchdown before the half before breaking the game open late for a 34-17 win.

"The defense had to make a play somehow," Burson said. "Coach kept telling us to do out job and everything was going to fall in place. That's what happened."

While the pick-six was a big play, Burson's down-to-down consistency was just as important. His 18 tackles led the team comfortably, and he added an assisted tackle in the backfield for a loss.

"Being a good tackler, a lot of that is being a good athlete. He's not scared; he's willing to be physical and put his face in there. That's not natural for most people, especially since he's not a really big guy," Barnes said. "He's solid and he's strong, but stature-wise, he's not what you look at and say, 'That's an inside linebacker.' His willingness to get in and be a part of the physical part of the game and still be good on the perimeter part makes us very diverse defensively."

Burson takes pride in being a thumper in the middle of the Gamecock defense.

"You've got to step up when the time gets like that," Burson said. "When I'm in the box in the middle, I've got to make a play."