More athletes, new division rivals has Burnet Youth Football League leaders happy for 2022
An increase in the number of athletes playing on Burnet Youth Football League teams and new division opponents that cut down on driving time has the board of directors and coaches looking forward to the kickoff of the 2022 season even more.
That’s the word from league president Grant Murray.
“The kids are our best recruiting tools,” he said. “They wear their jerseys to school, and their friends start asking. I’m really excited about this year and all the players who registered.”
Twenty-five sixth-graders have committed to play along with 17 fifth-graders, 17 third- and fourth-graders, and 14 first- and second-graders. The association is a member of the Hill Country Youth Football League.
Officials conducted their fitting day, the time when players tried on different sizes of uniforms and equipment, in May in ensure everything needed for the 2022 season arrives on time.
“We put the names on the backs of the jerseys,” Murray said. “That’s part of the excitement for the families. We had to turn in rosters by July 1.”
The 2022 schedule is set to be released in a few days. But league officials already know which teams are in Division I-4A with Burnet: Lampasas, Canyon Lake, Marble Falls, Lago Vista and Fredericksburg. League leaders are thrilled, noting those distances aren’t quite as far as Junction, Boerne and Wimberley, which were in the same division. Burnet’s home games will be played at Bulldog Field, 1400 Bulldog Stadium Drive, and practices are at the practice fields next door to the stadium. The first- and second-graders start their games at 9 a.m. followed by the third- and fourth-graders at 10:30 a.m. then the fifth-graders at noon, and the sixth-graders at 1:30 p.m.
“It’ll be nice,” Murray said. “Fredericksburg is always tough. They won the championship on every level last year. We usually have seven or eight games for the younger kids. Lampasas usually doesn’t field a young team. We’ll pick up a game for them.”
Murray noted that Marble Falls and Burnet are in the same division for the first time since the two associations joined the Hill Country Youth Football League. Still, because of the location of the two cities, the associations played each other in non-division play in “fifth quarter games,” which means reserves started and played for a quarter then coaches slowly began to replace them with the starters.
“The starters were the cheerleaders,” Murray said. “It was a fun thing to do.”
A football camp is set for July 28-29 and registration has already closed. Coaching the camp are former NFL players Geneo Grissom, Taylor Symmank and Kevin Garrett and former professional player Petrus Penkki; and former college players Henry Greathouse and Thomas Keith.
To prepare for the season, sixth-grade head coach Ray Gurley is conducting agility testing. The association needs assistant coaches.
“Some kids have been playing flag football and are playing tackle for the first time,” Murray said. “Their footwork and balance isn’t quite there yet. We try to have that conversation with their parents, and we love on (their child). They may not see the field as much. Some kids show up who are naturals.”
Murray believes fans will be impressed by what they see from the athletes who will represent Burnet for years to come.
“If you’re looking for something to do on Saturday mornings, come out and support the future of our community,” he said. “Admission is by donation only; we don’t charge at the gate.”
Watch videos on Highland Lakes sports by going to Fierro’s YouTube channel and searching for The Broad Podcaster. Please like, subscribe and share.
