Extra Point Previews: Enterprise Wildcats

ENTERPRISE, Ala (WDHN) — Enterprise football enters the 2024 season with high expectations after narrowly falling in the second round of the playoffs last year. With impact transfers on both sides of the ball, the Wildcats are ready to make a statement.

“We’ve got a great outlook going in,” said head coach Ben Blackmon. “You know, got a great group of seniors that are leading us. Really excited, had a great fall camp, summer offseason, working really hard to get to this point, and you know our kids are excited. Now it’s time to start playing other people.”

One of the most talked-about transfers is junior quarterback Mason Burkhardt, who was a standout at Wicksburg high school in 2A last season with over 2,400 yards and 31 total touchdowns. Now, he aims to bring that success to the 7A level.

“I’m really, really proud of his progression,” said Blackmon. “And where he’s come from to where he’s at now, just understanding how we do things and how we operate offensively.”

Burkhardt will have plenty of help with a deep and talented wide receiver room that goes eight players deep and a strong stable of running backs. However, the success of this team will start with the offensive line.

“That’s our strongest part,” said Blackmon. “I think we got a lot of experience back. Our senior center is very smart, understands the game, makes all our calls and checks. We’ve got six or seven guys who have quality reps playing on Friday night for us coming back, so I feel good about that unit.”

Senior center Kamron Wilkerson added, “I just think we’re very agile. We’re very strong for our size. We work together as one unit, and that’s what makes our offensive line special.”

Defensively, the Wildcats raise eyebrows with three players committed to play Power Five football next fall. Auburn-committed safety Eric Winters and Kentucky commit Andrew Purcell at corner have been key players for the team.

“I think they’re almost two dynamic athletes on the field,” Blackmon noted. “Whether it’s offense or defense. And so they’ve done well all offseason and fall camp, and I’m really excited about this senior season for them.”

Ohio State-committed defensive end Zion Grady, who transferred from Charles Henderson, further solidifies an already stout unit.

“Zion’s a great kid,” said Blackmon. “I mean, he’s come in and made an easy transition. Sometimes when people move in, it’s not easy for them to get adjusted to the way we do things, and he’s done a great job with that for us. He’s a team player, very humble kid.”

With elite talent at all three levels, each individual can handle their responsibilities with even more efficiency.

“Really with Andrew, I’ve been playing for the last 3-4 years,” said Senior safety Eric Winters. “It’s having the confidence that he can shut down one side of the field and not have to worry about their best guy on the other side of the ball. He can get to the quarterback in a hurry, but not just get to the quarterback, but stop the run.”

This Wildcats team feels they should have gone further last season and are using that as motivation to reach greater heights this fall.

“Yeah, I think that stings all through the offseason,” Blackmon admitted. “Because we had a chance to win that game. Probably should have won the game, but we didn’t. Some things didn’t go our way and we didn’t get it done, but I think that’s fueled us through the offseason.”

The Wildcats will open their season this Friday with a trip to 5A powerhouse Andalusia.

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