Senior lineman anchoring Lincoln County

While in the huddle, Lincoln County offensive tackle Cody Burgess is the quiet type.

But when he comes to the line of scrimmage?

“I get the line pumped up to hit someone,” he said.

That’s the kind of intensity the 6-foot-7-inch, 270-pound Burgess tries to bring with every snap. It’s helped the senior, who also stars as a defensive tackle, to draw recruiting interest from Boise State, UNLV, Stanford and Southern Utah.

“My pass blocking has definitely improved a lot,” said Burgess, who plays left tackle. “I get off the line a lot quicker than I used to.

“I love to hit kids, so run blocking is my favorite.”

As impressive as Burgess’ play has been, the Lynx have been one of the biggest disappointments in the Class 2A Southern League so far. Lincoln County is 0-2, losing its first two games by a combined score of 77-27.

Burgess and Lincoln County coach Rich Ottley agreed that puts more importance on the Lynx’s home game against 1-2 Milford (Utah) at 7 p.m. Friday. It’s Lincoln County’s final tuneup before opening league play against Mountain View on Sept. 19.

“We definitely need a win this week; there’s no doubt,” Ottley said. “It’s gonna get us off on that right tone.”

The most important cog in any success the Lynx might achieve this season is Burgess, Ottley said.

“He’s our anchor point,” Ottley said. “When we go to our smash-mouth game, a lot of it’s based off him. He really anchors that offensive line.”

That offensive line boasts four seniors, averages roughly 240 pounds and also showcases Burgess’ brother Jake (6-4, 260), a junior center.

It’s unusual for Lincoln County to have a player Cody Burgess’ size, Ottley said.

“We’ve never had a kid that size here, ever,” Ottley said. “And for a defensive tackle, he’s running sideline to sideline.”

Cody Burgess has logged 10 tackles through the first two games while constantly battling double- and triple-teams.

“There will be some games where he doesn’t have the big (defensive) stats because he’s getting double teamed and chopped,” Ottley said. “By him attracting that attention, it’s freeing up our linebackers.”

That’s OK with Cody Burgess, who loves “plugging up the hole and making it a problem to move me.”

With 695 yards of total offense through two games, moving the ball has not been a problem for the Lynx.

But Lincoln County committed nine turnovers — including four in the red zone — during a 14-6 home loss to Enterprise (Utah) last week.

Undermanned in its opener, Lincoln County was crushed 63-21 at Parowan (Utah), which carried roughly 65 players.

“That first game, we looked horrible,” Cody Burgess said. “We were out of shape. It was an eye-opener. That second game showed all our improvement. We were in better shape and hit harder.

“We’ve got to work on them fumbles.”

In the meantime, Cody Burgess is trying to squeeze in recruiting obligations. With an offer on the table from Southern Utah, he hopes to start organizing possible visits to some of the six schools “heavily interested” in him next week.

Though he said Boise State is where he most would like to end up, Cody Burgess knows going from Lincoln County to any Football Bowl Subdivision program would speak volumes.

“It means everything to me,” he said. “I want to show I can go to the next level.”