Burnet coaches see big increase in attendance for voluntary workouts

The number of Bulldogs attending voluntary strength-and-conditioning sessions thrills the Burnet High School coaching staff.

That’s according to defensive coordinator Ben Speer.

Burnet is averaging triple-digit attendance by athletes in grades 7-12, about 50 percent increase from summer 2021. The seven-week summer strength-and-conditioning sessions began June 6.

“We can’t be disappointed with that,” Speer said. “Last summer we had 60 guys, and we thought that was good.”

Several factors have contribute to the increase of attendees, he said. First, head coach Bryan Wood is beginning his second summer in Burnet. Coaches and athletes already spent one year together, and the players can see his commitment to them and the program, the coordinator added. So they’re responding to that. Another factor is that last summer, people were still uncertain how much they could be around others following the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, people are more determined to enjoy their summer and the activities that come with it. One activity for athletes is preparation for August training camps. The other, and to Speer this is the strongest, is athletes have spent the last several weeks, especially after Spring Break, building their bodies and stamina in the weight room and on the turf at Bulldog Field. So they don’t want to lose what they’ve already done, the coordinator said.

“It goes back to your offseason and the expectations,” he said. “If you’re in town, you need to be here with your teammates. And it’s about accountability. If you’re not going to make it, you need to let your teammates know. You may not be able to attend 100 percent of the sessions but when you’re accountable, you can let your teammates know 100 percent of the time. The offseason was tremendous. Kids were grinding and getting after it.”

Athletes see who attends, Speer added, and that does something for everyone.

“You’re getting used to the heat, it builds confidence in your teammate that he’s going to grind,” he said. “Coach Wood has set the expectation these workouts aren’t a suggestion. If you want to be a better football team, you have to take strides that haven’t been done in awhile.”

Newly-hired coaches Colton Brewer, Trevor Couch and Jeremy Whipkey as well as recently-promoted coach Thomas Levens also have been attending the summer sessions. Levens was a Burnet Middle School coach who knows many of the athletes already, while Brewer, the quarterbacks coach, Whipkey, the inside linebackers coach, and Couch, the receivers coach, are getting to know the players.

‘They’re jumping in with both feet,” Speer said.

It’s not all physical labor for the Bulldogs. Wood also has invited special speakers to share their knowledge and experiences with the players. Speer said the athletes have responded positively to those gatherings, too.

In addition, Burnet also continues to play in the Georgetown 7-on-7 June league each Monday. On June 13, the varsity tied Liberty Hill and defeated one of the Georgetown teams. The junior varsity beat both Liberty Hill teams.

“They’re getting great experience,” Speer said. “To me 7-on-7 is about communication and camaraderie. They’re talking to each other.”

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