Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Wingstop Player of the Week: Canyon Springs player thriving in new position, leads Pioneers to 2-0 record

Diamante Burton

Ray Brewer / Staff photo

Diamante Burton from Canyon Springs High School is the Wingstop high school football player of the week.

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Diamante Burton has proven to be more than an ordinary backup quarterback for the Canyon Springs High football team.

The junior Burton was scheduled to be the Pioneers tailback. But days before their season opener at the end of August, he was asked to play quarterback because of an injury. First, it was a one-week deal. Then, they asked him to play again last week.

“I just want to help the team win. I don’t care what position I play,” he said.

Burton had three touchdowns and 220 all-purpose yards last week in a 28-22 win against Cheyenne to be named the Wingstop Player of the Week. He led the Pioneers the length of the field in the last minute, connecting with Keyon White on a 16-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds for the win.

“Diamante put this team on his back and led us,” Canyon Springs coach Gus McNair said after the game. “I can’t say enough about his mentality and attitude.”

The 5-foot-7, 145-pound Burton will eventually return to running back when senior quarterback Dexter Hammond is medically cleared. In the interim, Burton plans to make the most of his opportunity running the offense.

Last season, he made the varsity team as a sophomore but saw limited touches in the offense. This year, Canyon Springs has won both its games with Burton at the controls.

“I came from not getting any carries to being the go-to guy,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to get the notoriety.”

Canyon Springs also won its initial two games last season. But the Pioneers lost seven of their last eight games to close the season. Burton is determined to not let that occur again.

“This isn’t last year. We have a new mindset,” he said.

Wingstop awards the player of the week with a $50 gift card and shirt.

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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