Burke inherits quarterback position at Sullivan East

BLUFF CITY — Sullivan East appeared to be set at quarterback for the upcoming season. Until Peyton Lingerfelt decided to spend his senior campaign at Elizabethton. Enter sophomore Grady Burke, who suddenly found himself as the starting signal-caller for the Patriots. "It is a good opportunity," Burke said. "I have inherited a great group of guys, great coaches and I am just excited for the season, ready to get some wins." Winning in football has been difficult over the years for the Patriots, having lost 21 of their last 22 games, following up a 6-5 record in 2023 with a 1-9 mark in 2024 and 0-10 last year. "I think coming off of last season, we use it as a little bit of motivation in the offseason as far as weight room and stuff and get after it," said Sullivan East head coach JC Simmons, who's mantra is "Stack the Positives" for the season ahead. "We have really flushed that and focused on '26 right now." Burke, who also plays basketball at Sullivan East, echos those sentiments. "We are just going to be stacking the positives, a lot more positives," Burke said. "We just hope for more wins, that is the ultimate goal, just to get more wins." Quarterback is always the most important position on the field, and especially at Sullivan East, which runs the pass-oriented Air Raid offense, which was made popular at the college level by Hal Mumme and Mike Leach. Coincidently, Stan Bedwell, who is the offensive coordinator for the Patriots, is a European Hall of Fame quarterback and close friend and follower of Mumme's concepts. "It was pretty tough in the beginning, but Coach Stan, he taught me a lot," said Burke, who started in the Air Raid as a member of the Jr. Patriots. "He has taught me a lot over the years. I have ran Air Raid since I was in fifth grade so he has taught me over the years and I have got it down pretty pat." Burke will also to learn under the tutelage of new quarterbacks coach Drake Fisher, with eyes on breaking many of the Sullivan East passing records Fisher set during a three-year run as starting quarterback for the Patriots. "It is great. I love passing the ball. I have got some great wide receivers to throw to as well so I am just excited," Burke said. "(Drake) helps me a lot in practice, going through the reads and working the plays...I am trying to win as most games as possible and try to break as many records as possible and ultimately just win." There is talent back for Burke to work with, including receivers Haden Jones, Isaac Deel and Colton Laisure, running backs Kean Bare and Warren, and a senior-laden offensive line. "Having Drake back there, he is not the loudest guy, but he understands what he is doing," Simmons said. "He has been in Grady's shoes being a sophomore starter and just having him here at practice and just being able to be that guy that is right behind him. That is the only voice that he is hearing right after the play or right before the play. "Then you have Coach Bedwell right there on one side, you have got me on the other side. I really like how that group is coming together. With a guy who has been there and done it just like you are doing it, that is a huge upside for Grady." Simmons thinks Burke has the ability to run the basic premise of the Air Raid, which is to get rid of the ball quickly to playmakers in space while stressing every part of the defense. "Grady has done a really good job of understanding how to facilitate the offense. He is not a guy that is trying to play out of this world because we don't need him too," Simmons said. "He is focused on what is my first read, second read and going through the progressions and getting the ball out. That helps our offense really get that rhythm that we are after." Burke has already opened eyes among his teammates, including Jones, one of his primary receivers, who compares Burke favorably to what Fisher brought to the Patriots before graduating in 2024. "I have seen a lot of improvement. He comes early for practice, he stays late for practice. He is in the gym every day. He is throwing the ball. Him and Drake, while we are doing defense they are throwing for 30 minutes," Jones said. "He is doing the recovery right, he is doing the prep right so I love it. I love to see a young kid doing that." Up first for Sullivan East will be a Thursday night home game on Aug. 20 against Johnson County. Expect Burke to be ready for what will be his first varsity start in front of the pro-Patriot Nation faithful. "I am excited. I will be all right because I have got a great group of guys protecting me. I just think we are ready. I hope to bring a lot more people in and a lot more energy to the game," said Burke, who has his goals set for the season. "The team goal is obviously to get as many wins as possible, but overall just have fun and build relationships."