Burnet, Giddings football teams face off for much-needed win

CAPTION: The Burnet Bulldogs continue to push their way through the schedule and fight through adversity. They’re hitting the road to Giddings Sept. 16. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

The Burnet High School football team is traveling with the goal of evening its season record. They’ll have to do so at Giddings at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at Buffalo Stadium, 1600 N. Main St.

The Buffaloes (1-2, District 12-4A Division II) are coming off a 42-10 loss to Lago Vista after they beat Jarrell 21-14 Sept. 9. They lost their season opener to Columbus 42-7 Aug. 26.

Giddings is led by senior running back Georges Awad, who has 36 rushes for 217 yards in two games. Junior receiver Kolbie Clemons has 20 carries for 95 yards and a score. And junior quarterback Luke Linder has 13 carries for 36 yards and completed 9 of 20 passes for 1 touchdown and 1 interception.

Senior defensive lineman Kevin Richmond leads Giddings with 23 tackles followed by senior middle linebacker Damian Lebron with 19 tackles. Both have a sack.

Still, this game is about the Bulldogs.

Burnet head coach Bryan Wood moved five junior varsity players to the varsity last week headed into the loss to Brownwood. He added those players logged minutes because five starters were out for the Bulldogs. Privacy laws prohibit school officials from talking about injuries.

Coaches knew in August the varsity would have around 30 players, which meant asking some to play on both sides of the ball. Indeed it has 32 athletes who may exit the field for a sip of water and a play before going back on the field. In the losses to Llano 29-21 and to Brownwood, opponents have had more players suited up. The Yellow Jackets have 41, while the Lions have 40. In short, the Bulldogs’ biggest opponent has been depth.

Senior quarterback Tanner O’Hair has completed 46 of 80 passes for 563 yards, 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Senior wide receiver Braden Ellett-Clark has 10 catches for 163 yards and a score, while Jones has 11 catches for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns. Junior receiver Will Johnson has 10 receptions for 89 yards and a score.

Senior running back Jose Rodriguez has 57 carries for 239 yards, while junior receiver Grant Jones has 10 carries for 44 yards and a score.

The Buffaloes may be the right opponent at this time for Burnet. Both should feature the same number of players and find themselves at a moment in their season where a win would do so much for the program.

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