Dylan Burns extends extra-point record for Plainedge
Plainedge kicker No. 18 Dylan Burns splits the uprights with help from No. 10 Nicholas Checchia for a successful point after touchdown attempt during a Nassau III football semifinal at Hofstra University on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. Credit: James Escher
Plainedge quarterback Davien Kuinlan made countless bold statements in leading Long Island in rushing touchdowns this season. Each time, senior kicker Dylan Burns provided the exclamation point.
Burns hit 64 consecutive extra points -- a Long Island record -- to end his varsity career, including one in Plainedge's 59-15 loss to Sayville in the Long Island Class III championship at Stony Brook's LaValle Stadium on Sunday. Since being called up to varsity in the final game of the regular season as a freshman in 2011, he drilled 153 extra points in his high school career, also a Long Island record.
What do all the personal accomplishments mean to Burns?
"It means a good amount," he said, "but I would trade it for the Long Island Championship trophy in a heartbeat."
Still, Burns knows a Nassau championship is nothing to scoff at.
"It's been the goal the last four years," Burns said. "Me and Davien, especially, we've been up here for four years. Been working for this for four years and it just felt great to win that county. It just hurts to come up short at the end."
For the kicker, it's all about consistency. Line it up, see the hold, kick it straight. Lather, rinse, repeat.
"Just doing the same thing every time," said Burns, who went 4-for-6 on field goals, including a long of 47 yards, this season. "Repetition is the key."
Burns started placekicking in seventh grade, but his kicking roots go deeper than that.
"I've played soccer since I was 3," Burns said. "I always had a strong leg, so I thought I'd start using it for football."
It's a good thing he did.
"Playing for this team has been a phenomenal experience," Burns said. "We're a true family here."
