Mayson Burgett has been handling quarterback duties for the Dansville football program the last few seasons.
But he has always felt like more of a running back.
And the senior made that known to first-year Dansville coach Jeff Hancock.
"I always felt that because that's what I feel like I'm always better at," Burgett said. "As a quarterback usually I look and if no one is open I run the ball. I know most quarterbacks are not like that so that's why I feel I'm more of a running back. I love running the ball. That's one of my favorite parts of the game."
Burgett is still getting a chance to do the running he loves. But he has been much more than a running quarterback this season and his play has played a big role in a turnaround season for the Aggies, who went from finishing 1-7 in 2025 to entering Week 9 with a 7-1 record and in position to qualify for the playoffs for the first time sine 2018. Dansville is ranked No. 3 in playoff points in 8-man Division 1.
Burgett, who was voted the latest LSJ boys athlete of the week, is closing in on a season with 1,000 yards on the ground and through the air. He enters the final week of the regular season with 979 yards passing and 16 touchdowns and 931 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. Burgett boosted his chances of a season with 1,000 yards passing and rushing with a big Week 8 where he had 14 carries for 257 yards rushing and four touchdowns in a 27-18 win over Coleman.
But Burgett has also put together big passing games this season while helping Dansville to its most wins in a season since going 7-4 in 2018.
"This year I've grown more reading the field and actually trusting more and stepping up in the pocket and making throws instead of just rolling out and running," Burgett said. "I've been a lot better at that and taking the hits when I'm throwing instead of just trying to avoid them. I've done a lot better at all of that and it's helped me a lot at quarterback."
That has also helped Dansville find success offensively. The Aggies scored just 73 points in 2025 and had a combined 148 points in the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Dansville has scored 256 points through eight games this season.
"I could tell early on he had a pretty good understanding of football concepts and why we're doing certain things. That really did help a whole lot. I was like he does have a chance to be pretty good. I know he keeps telling me he's a running back, but he's not a bad thrower. He's really gotten better at those things and he's really become even more of a student of the game."
More: Greater Lansing high school football stat leaders entering Week 9
The impact of Burgett has extended beyond his play at quarterback. He also has 33 tackles and four interceptions on defense and has been among a core of eight seniors who have put Dansville back on the right track this fall.
'He's done a really good job of stepping up and being a great leader." Hancock said. "I think all of our seniors have done a phenomenal job of stepping up and being leaders.
"I think up until this year these kids that are seniors have only won one football game in their high school career. Now we've got seven and hopefully we get a few more."
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Mayson Burgett helping spark big turnaround for Dansville football