Burnett steps in to lead Vocational past Corliss

The Larry Williams era at Vocational has unofficially begun as the coach notched his first win with a 50-14 victory over Corliss Saturday night at Gately Stadium.

Jerry Burnett gained 152 yards on 16 carries and had four touchdowns to lead the Cavailers (1-1).

Corliss (1-1) struck first with 9:53 remaining in the first quarter on a 19-yard run by quarterback Terron Brown. The Cavaliers took over from there, scoring 30 unanswered points, starting with Terrance Shelton-Brown returning the ensuing kickoff 83 yards. Brown saw limited action after that because of a slight injury and was replaced in the backfield by Burnett, who stole the show.

“I am a senior and it is time to become a leader,” Burnett said. ”I’m glad I was able to step up and do my part.”

Burnett scored his first touchdown on a 36-yard run. After a 17-yard touchdown run by Marcus Davis, Brown scored on a 10-yard burst. Davis scored his second touchdown on a quarterback sneak with 37 seconds remaining in the second quarter as Vocational took a 36-5 halftime lead. Burnett scored the first of two second-half touchdowns when he blocked and recovered a punt, which he ran in from 44 yards out. He capped his day with a 36-yard run late in the fourth quarter.

The team gave Williams the Gatorade treatment after the victory.

”Last week was a very disappointing loss,” Williams said. ”I thought we gave a good effort today, but we have a lot more work to do. Shelton was a little nicked up coming into the game from last week and Burnett stepped up and did an excellent job.”

Trojan coach Stacy Douglas said his team made too many costly errors. “We had some great opportunities that we let get away, by making silly mistakes,” Douglas said.

DeSean Pullum scored on a seven-yard run for Corliss.