Practices have been quite pleasant for Tom Henderson this autumn.

Not only is his Burrell High School football team producing wins this season, but the Buccaneers also are enjoying the preparation.

"I love the way we practice," Henderson said. "I haven't had many teams in the past that practice like this. They come prepared and put in a good day each any every day.

"I'm never saying, 'Oh gosh, what's going on?' Everyone's always upbeat and having fun."

Burrell, which has not made a WPIAL playoff appearance since 2005, is back on course in Class AA with a 5-1 overall record and 5-1 mark in Allegheny Conference play.

Henderson returned to the Bucs' sideline last season after taking a two-year break from coaching. Before his hiatus, Henderson was Burrell's head coach for 13 seasons.

"Last year was all about everyone learning a new system and a new way of doing things," said Henderson, whose Bucs went 3-6 last year. "It wasn't anything other than adapting to something different, like the different schematics and different way of practicing.

"They came back this year a little more familiar."

Burrell, No. 5-ranked Freeport and Shady Side Academy share the top spot in the conference standings at 5-1. The Bucs lost to Freeport, 20-17, two weeks ago and beat Shady Side Academy, 17-14, the following week, while Freeport lost to Shady Side Academy.

"We have good leadership by our senior class and had a group with experience, but the main difference has been made through what they've shown during practice," Henderson said. "They put their hearts and souls into practices just as much as they do in the games and that makes the whole difference for any team."

Burrell is outscoring opponents by an average of 37.7-11 and the Bucs picked up their fifth win of the season last week with a 44-6 victory over Apollo-Ridge.

Senior quarterback Cameron Nelson completed 7 of 7 attempts for 100 yards as Burrell outgained Apollo-Ridge in total yards, 269-50. Nelson, an All-Allegheny Conference quarterback who threw for 1,294 yards last season, has completed 76 of 107 passes this season for 790 yards and seven touchdowns.

Nelson's top targets have been senior receivers Dave Yakopec and Chris Linden. Yakopec, who also received all-conference honors last year, has 26 receptions for 366 yards. Linden has 24 catches for 227 yards.

"Cam is a dual threat, being able to run the ball very well and pass well. He leads our offense in a quiet way," Henderson said. "He has been able to connect with his receivers Dave Yakopec, Chris Linden, Jesse Burton and Mark Kaczanowicz. Those guys and the rest of our receivers have all done a great job.

"Plus, we've also been able to get our running game going again."

Dan Domanski provided most of Burrell's running attack against Apollo-Ridge by rushing for 95 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries. Domanski, who missed the first two games of the season because of an elbow injury, scored on runs of 15, 4 and 2 yards.

"Friday was Dan's third week back and he definitely was a little rusty coming back [from the injury]," Henderson said. "You could see he had a little more jump against Shady Side Academy and last week he did a very good job. He's starting to get back to form."

Henderson, however, is the first to note that his skill players wouldn't put up any numbers if not for Burrell's offensive line. The Bucs welcomed back three returning starters in seniors Jim Hess, Dayne Williams and Cary Flenory and added seniors David Williams, Dayne's brother, and Jon Novak.

"We can't pass the ball or run the ball without those guys on the front line," Henderson said. "Our skill people always get the accolades, but nothing would take place without those five doing their jobs."

The Bucs travel to Kittanning (4-2, 4-2) for a 7:30 p.m. conference contest tomorrow night.

"Kittanning is a physical football team and has been for years," Henderson said. "They're going to come out and smack you in the mouth; they line up and go right at you.

"It's going to be up to us to smack them right back. It's going to be a very physical and good football game."

After Burrell faces Kittanning, the Bucs will entertain Ford City (4-2, 4-2) before wrapping up regular-season and conference play at Valley (3-3, 3-3).

"The important thing is to worry about not getting ahead of yourself," Henderson said. "I know it's an old cliché, but we have to take care of business this week and not look ahead. It's all about the mental approach and keeping your focus on what's directly in front of you.

"Those are three very hardworking teams and they're always great games, so we have to keep it up with our practices and our work ethic. Sometimes those elements are more important than the X's and O's during games."

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