Burch’s Experience at QB Serves the Knights Well
Michael Vergane
Thursday April 12, 2001
That is a fact that was not lost on the President and CEO of the Macon Knights, Bryan Watson. When he went to look for a head coach, he chose former Pensacola Barracuda Head Coach, Kevin Porter. Porter led the Barracudas into the playoffs last season and also coached with the AFL Orlando Predators. It also helps that Porter is a household name in middle Georgia as he starred at Warner-Robbins High School, was an All-SEC cornerback at Auburn and played in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs.
When Porter began to build the Macon Knights roster, he wanted a QB with Arena experience. He found one in former Roanoke Steam QB, Will Burch.
“We got in touch with Roanoke”, said Porter, “and asked them if they would make a move with him. We ended up having to trade three players to get him, but it was well worth it.”
“I think going into the season that’s one of the biggest things that we feel Will gives us the advantage at. We’ve got a guy at QB that has been in the war. He can go out and lead these guys. Plus, he’s a great athlete and those are the things we need right now.”
Last season in Roanoke, former Virginia Tech QB, Al Clark, signed with the Steam and was immediately named the starting quarterback and heralded the franchises’ marquee player.
Four losses later Clark was gone and Will Burch, the graduate of Division II East Stroudsburg, was named the starting QB.
“ I came in (to Roanoke in 2000) having some Arena experience”, said Burch, “and they gave him the starting job the first two games. But he wasn’t cutting it. I came into the second game and played a quarter. The third game I played the second half, and by the fourth game I was the starter. So I ended up starting 13 games.”
Burch led the Steam to their only three victories of the year. His breakout game came on Memorial Day weekend as he threw for a then record 10 TD passes for a 71-61 win over Charleston (a record which stood for one week until Arkansas’ Jon Nielsen threw for 11 TD passes against Greensboro).
Fast forward to April 8, 2001 – opening night for the expansion Macon Knights. They are playing host to the Augusta Stallions and the fans in the Macon Coliseum are excited and curious as to what to expect from their Knights.
What they got was a quick strike offense that spread the field vertically. Will Burch divided the ball equally to his OS/WR’s Sheddrick Risper, Jamaal Garman, Marcus Whitehead and Troy Esprit.
“The receivers all have speed here”, said Burch. “We have a bunch of playmakers and I think we are going to be fine. The offensive line is going to be a big plus for us. I wasn’t fortunate in Roanoke to have as good a line as I do here. In our fist scrimmage I didn’t even get touched. And as a QB, that is what you want.”
That extra time to find the open receiver was evident against Augusta. Macon struck quickly jumping out to a 20-0 first quarter lead. The Knights scored on three consecutive 2-play drives. Each drive beginning with a long bomb – thrilling the hometown fans.
The Macon opening day roster includes 8 players with Arena experience, ranking the expansion Knights as one of the most experienced teams in the league.
Of course, by the end of the regular season all 28 teams will be equally experienced and this will all be a moot point. By then, the factors separating the playoff teams from the also-rans will be talent, athleticism and coaching.
Until then, Head Coach Kevin Porter likes his chances and likes his offense being led by Will Burch.
Michael Vergane was a writer for ArenaFan Online from 2000 to 2002.
