Berkeley Prep’s Burke sidelined with torn ACL

Posted Sep 6, 2010 by Katherine Smith

Updated Sep 6, 2010 at 11:55 AM

Berkeley Prep began preparations for its game against Tampa Catholic with an early morning practice on Monday. But the Buccaneers were without a major contributor.

While the team ran through a variety of drills, senior starting defensive lineman Max Burke gingerly worked out on the football field’s surrounding track with head trainer Eddie Bunton. Burke suffered severe knee injury in the Aug. 26 Kickoff Classic and an MRI revealed a torn ACL.

Burke apparently has an incredibly high pain tolerance because he is attempting to return to the field. Not knowing if a comeback is in the cards, Berkeley coach Dominick Ciao said they are trying out various players to replace Burke on the line.

Berkeley Prep hosts Tampa Catholic Friday night in the Tampa Tribune’s Game of the Week. The Bucs are coming off an impressive 48-7 victory against St. Pete Catholic, while the Crusaders suffered a turnover-plagued loss to Groveland South Lake.