10:49 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 29, 2006
By TODD WILLS / The Dallas Morning News

PLANO - Plano football coach Gerald Brence denies that sophomore Rex Burkhead was considered when the school had to replace its defensive coordinator this summer.

"We better slow down a little bit," Brence said. "Let's let him be a kid."

But when tailback Derick Henderson injured his foot this summer in 7-on-7 football Brence knew exactly whom to turn to: Burkhead.

Burkhead has frequently been Brence's answer to "Let's try this." Burkhead, the only freshman to see significant playing time at Plano in more than 40 years, was the solution at fullback and free safety last year.

The coaching staff planned on looking at him at quarterback during pre-season workouts this summer, with senior Greg Harrell set for his only season as a starter. But the injury to Henderson, who may miss the first three games, changed that.

Burkhead (5-10, 185) was slated to lead the secondary at free safety, a tall chore considering Plano lost four starting defensive backs, perhaps its strongest position last year. But he'll see limited time there until Henderson returns, and when that happens, who knows?

Burkhead had 50 yards on eight carries in Friday's scrimmage against Rockwall. "I've been playing tailback my whole life," said Burkhead, who had 89 yards on 26 carries last year.

Burkhead enters his sophomore year with more playoff experience than most get in four years of high school.

He was a backup fullback on Plano's 13-1 state quarterfinal team. Forced into duty at free safety in Plano's 37-27 loss to eventual state champion Southlake Carroll, he had his first interception.

Burkhead was a key reserve on Plano's state championship basketball team. His ability to pressure guards at halfcourt was crucial to Plano's victory over El Paso Montwood in the Class 5A Region I finals.

Burkhead easily gained the respect of players on both teams. His basketball teammates nicknamed him Rex Chapman when they saw the 5-8 freshman dunk.

"His maturity level both athletically and socially is off the charts," Plano basketball coach Tom Inman said.

Burkhead is usually the last one to leave the football field house or the weight room. He doesn't even start the day at Plano Senior High, attending Jasper High School for ninth and 10th graders before making it over to the senior high for athletics.

"He's the hardest working athlete at Plano," said senior guard John Roberson, one of the state's top basketball recruits.

Burkhead follows in the footsteps of his brother Ryan, a three-year starter at defensive end. Ryan, one of 17 senior starters who have departed, is playing football at Harvard this fall.

"They are very similar," Brence said. "They have great character and they are tremendous athletes. And they are great team players."