Entering the 2020 football campaign, El Dorado was returning both of its quarterbacks and its top receiver from a year ago. So how much of an impact could a sophomore actually make on the offense?
If that question had been posed to DeAndra Burns, he probably would’ve just smiled and rolled his eyes. Or, perhaps he would’ve said, “Watch this.”
The 5-10, 160-pound receiver immediately became the Wildcats’ deep threat before turning into the team’s most potent offensive weapon.
“We knew coming into the year on speed alone that he was going to be a dynamic player,” said El Dorado coach Steven Jones. “To have that big of a breakout year was impressive. If the ball was in the air, we knew we could count on him to go get it. It was an impressive season, excited to have two more with him.”
Burns was named News-Times Football Rookie of the Year. He led the Wildcats with 56 receptions for 755 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 13.5 yards per catch. Despite missing two games with an injury, he would finish with 1,058 total yards, including 232 kickoff return yards and two more touchdowns.
The numbers are more impressive considering Burns was the object of special attention by the league’s defenses.
“Sylvan Hills tried to take him away. He did a good job throughout the season, whether it was man or zone, of finding ways to get open,” said Jones. “We had teams that were prepping to stop him, and he still found ways to make plays. That’s pretty impressive. Even though he’s the focal point of the receiving corps, he’s still able to put up stats.
“Sylvan Hills was the first team to try to double team him and just make sure they had an extra guy there. Everybody after that followed suit. He got better every week of understanding route concepts. He’s a complete player.”
Opponents weren’t the only ones taking notes. Burns received a scholarship offer from the University of Arkansas during the season.
The offer didn’t slow him down.
“I thought after he got the offer, he got better overnight,” said Jones. “The confidence came with it. I think he built on that every single game from there on out.”