Burnet football receivers to continue to play to program standards

CAPTION: Jaxon Shipley, who coached the Bulldogs’ 7-on-7 team the last two months, chats with new Burnet High School receivers coach Aaron Terry during a night of football. Staff photos by Jennifer Fierro

Burnet High School assistant football coach Aaron Terry is familiar with the standards of being a Bulldogs receiver.

After all, one of those former players, Jaxon Shipley, has stood next to Terry, who took over the receivers after being hired in April, during many of the 7-on-7 contests the last two months.

If Jordan Shipley, who graduated in 2004 and won a national title at the University of Texas before being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, and younger brother Jaxon set the standard for the receiver position, Terry said it can be traced back to one trait.

“What made the Shipleys great is their dad (former Burnet head coach Bob Shipley) instilled that relentless effort every single time that made them a special player, special athlete, special receivers in this area,” Terry said. “They’re going to have to play with a level of confidence to take pride in stepping on the field in that Burnet uniform, thinking about all the guys that have come before them and what we want to build and grow into and bring this community – a state championship. So it’s going to be the standard here with what we ‘re trying to instill in these guys.”

Terry offered a list of traits he wants to see from his receivers that have been on display during the last several weeks.

“I want them to play fast,” he said. “What I’ve seen over the years at this position is speed kills. And it’s not just some of the time, it’s going to be all the time. Yes, the quarterbacks are the leaders of the team, but I think receivers can also play integral part in that as well. They’re going to have to take pride in doing the little things right.”

One of the “little things” is a big part of what turns a short gain into an explosive play that tears the heart of the defense.

“One thing they’re going to have to realize is as much as we want to get them the ball every single play, a good majority of the game they’re going to have to block, too,” the coach said. “So they’re going to have to learn how to block first and take pride in that as well, eliminate mental errors, owning every assignment.”

And above all, the receivers must stay engaged when they’re on the field.

“Whether or not they get the ball or not every single time, it needs to be relentless effort every single time,” Terry said. “Blocking is indicative, because 70 to 80 percent of the game, they’re going to have to block most of the time. If you can’t do your assignment or if you can’t carry out the assignment that’s asked of you, then I think that’s when you start getting into that area of can this guy do it or not. I don’t think it’s the end-all-be-all. But if you’re not doing what’s asked of you to do and you’re not reaching the level of expectation that we have for you, then that’s where I think it starts becoming a factor of ‘hey, can you perform what’s asked of you on this play?'”

He added that during the key moments of a contest, the team’s “dudes” won’t be standing next to him on the sideline.

“We’re going to get our best guys out there on the field all the time,” he said. “I think every kid has an opportunity, and what they do with that opportunity is up to them. And I want to give the kids the utmost opportunity in my best coaching to give them the best chance possible to be successful out on the field.”

CAPTION: New Burnet offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tyler Fambrough indicates the down of a recent 7-on-7 contest as new wide receivers coach Aaron Terry looks on.