Brendon Buerkle wants to cap off impressive season with a state tournament appearance
SPRINGFIELD, Minn. (BVM) — Brendon Buerkle has come a long way from his days of playing both right guard and quarterback in junior high.
“I played quarterback and right guard, not a combination you see a lot,” Buerkle said.
When he got to Springfield High School, he stopped playing offensive line and focused on quarterback. As a sophomore, he saw little time on JV at quarterback and spent that offseason working hard to improve his game.
His hard work paid off and Buerkle got the starting job as a junior leading the Tigers to a 6-2 record and a third-place finish in Section 3A. Buerkle had a 62.8% completion rate while throwing for 1,088 yards, 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Entering this season with a year of starting under his belt, both he and the team felt that they could find success.
“I think coming in we already had that thought that we were going to be one of the tougher teams around and then after our first game, our first half was a little shaky but then the second half our offense clicked and everything was rolling,” Buerkle said.
In that first game early in the third quarter, the Tigers were down 28-6 to Lakeview but mounted a comeback that just fell short. Springfield lost the game 34-32 but scored 26 in the second half, 20 of those points coming in the fourth. Buerkle went 20-for-36 with five touchdowns and an interception. It was a loss, but a great preview of what this Tiger offense and Buerkle was capable of.
After that loss, Springfield went on a six-game winning streak that included some late-game theatrics by Buerkle and the offense.
On the road against Martin County West, who at the time was the Class A No. 9-ranked team in the state, the Tigers gave up a 20-7 halftime lead and found themselves down 27-26 with just 53 seconds left. Buerkle then led a 70-yard, game-winning drive that was capped off with a 35-yard touchdown pass to MaCoy Krick with one second left on the clock.
“We really know we can win any game and we’re never out of it,” Buerkle said.
The reason for that is the Springfield offense has been elite all season.
“Our offense has reached almost its peak like it’s the best it’s ever been,” Buerkle said.
The Tigers have one of the best passing games in the state and it starts with Buerkle. He leads the state in passing yards with 2,510 as well as touchdowns with 35 while only throwing nine interceptions. His 167 completions is second in the state and he has a completion rate of 63.3%. However, Buerkle would also be the first to say that his success is not just because of his own talents.
“I can always rely on someone to be open,” Buerkle said.
The Tigers have a plethora of weapons for Buerkle to distribute the ball to and those weapons have been making defenses pay all season. Sophomore receiver Carter Olson leads the state in receptions (72) and receiving yards (999) while Krick leads the state in receiving touchdowns (14).
“Anytime I’m trying to find someone I know he’ll always be open,” Buerkle said about Olson.
And he has plenty of time to look for receivers thanks to his offensive line, which has only given up one sack this season. He has time to sit in the pocket and wait for plays to progress while his connection with co-head coach and offensive coordinator Adam Meyer has only amplified the success of the offense.
All of this has led the Tigers to a 6-2 regular season record and has set themselves up to achieve the goal they have had since the start of the season.
“We always count to 13 because 13 is the number of games we need to make it to bank (U.S. Bank Stadium) so instead of saying 13 we say bank,” Buerkle said.
U.S. Bank Stadium is where the MSHSL high school football state tournament is hosted every year and after the 2020 season ended at the sectional level due to COVID, everyone is excited to get back to the stadium.
“Everyday we’re always thinking about it and we have it in the back of our heads that’s where we’re trying to get,” Buerkle said.
After making it to the tournament in 2018 and 2019, the Tigers are ready to get back there and with how this offense has been clicking with Buerkle under center, they have the firepower to achieve that goal.
