Big RB Beattie ready to carry load again for Burrell

By: Michael Love
Sunday, August 13, 2023 | 3:58 PM

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Devin Beattie hopes to have another big season for the Burrell football team.

Connected to that goal is the bruising 200-pound running back’s desire to help lead the Bucs to a third consecutive WPIAL playoff appearance.

“Devin is a perfect fit for our type of run-heavy offense,” Burrell coach Shawn Liotta said.

“He’s a big, strong back. He can break tackles and get some tough yards, and he has speed to break long runs. That is where he sometimes doesn’t get enough credit. When he breaks through and gets into open space, he can go. He is able to separate with his speed and go the distance. We’re looking forward to having him back for another year, for sure.”

Given the chance to be the main focus in the backfield, Beattie broke out in 2022.

He carried the ball 222 times in 11 games and totaled 1,441 of the Bucs’ 3,046 yards on the ground. He found the end zone 18 times.

“I didn’t expect it, but I just wanted to do whatever I could to help my team win games,” he said. “I don’t care how many times I carry the ball. As long as we are moving the ball and doing what we can to win, that is the most important thing.”

Beattie had a career game in a key 41-30 victory over Imani Christian that helped Burrell clinch a spot in the postseason.

He finished the game with 304 yards and six touchdowns on 35 carries.

Beattie had six other games where he totaled 100 or more yards.

“He is definitely a team player,” Liotta said. “There are games where he will get a ton of chances to carry the ball. I told him to get ready for the workload again. With being a run-heavy team, there are a lot of touches to be had. Obviously, we’re going to give the ball to the hot hand, and we expect him to be that guy in many cases.”

Beattie’s running success in 2022 came one season after he served as the understudy to then-senior Caden DiCaprio, who tallied 246 rushes, 1,241 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021.

That year, Beattie complemented DiCaprio and recorded three touchdowns and 250 rushing yards on 45 totes.

Beattie said he knows he can’t do what he does alone. It is a team effort, he said, and that starts up front with the offensive line knocking people out of the way.

“I have a lot of trust in them to get the job done,” he said. “I don’t go anywhere without them.”

Three of the five starters were lost to graduation, but, Beattie said, this year’s line is coming together nicely.

“The two who are back are really good, and we have a lot of younger guys who are excited for the opportunity to get in there,” Beattie said, noting the athleticism shown from the group.

“I think the line this year can be just as good and even better. There is a lot of confidence.”

Beattie said with the run-heavy offense, he needs to be prepared to exert a lot of energy and show his endurance.

He was fueled in the offseason by a training regimen that not only increased strength but improved conditioning.

Beattie said he finished last season at 175 pounds. Since then, he’s put on 20 to 25 pounds of muscle.

“My dad really encouraged me to get bigger and stronger because he didn’t want to see me get hurt,” he said. “I was confident that I could do that if I worked hard. I started to hit the weights immediately after the season.”

Beattie, a member of the track and field team in the spring, didn’t see the field much on defense last year, but he said he’s looking forward to the possibility of an increased role there.

Liotta said he always will be cautious, making sure Beattie is not getting stretched too thin in games.

“He can be a really strong defensive player at linebacker, and he could probably play defense in college, but we try to keep him fresh on offense,” Liotta said.

“Giving him 30 to 40 carries a game, I don’t know how much we want to play him fully both ways. But he will see more opportunities on defense.”

Burrell went 3-4 in Allegheny Conference play last year, finishing fifth in the team standings, one game behind Apollo-Ridge (4-3). Steel Valley (7-0) ruled the conference, and Serra Catholic (5-2) and Ligonier Valley (5-2) tied for second.

“We’re really showing signs of being a better team, and we’re excited to see what we can do,” Beattie said. “I think we can compete with every team.”

The Bucs kick off their season against Jeannette on Aug. 25.

Beattie said while there is concentration on getting himself and his team ready, he also is hoping to catch the eye of college scouts and coaches for an opportunity to do what he does at the next level.

“I am looking to play, but it might be after the season before I figure everything out,” Beattie said.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Burrell