Ten Highland Lakes Sports Insights

CAPTION: Junior Cross Sanchez and the Faith Academy of Marble Falls Flames showed a solid week of practice when they hosted San Antonio FEAST Sept. 16. Photo by Stennis Shotts

Welcome to this weekly column where readers will find a summary of sports across the region and the impressions left on this writer.

We’re speeding through the pre-district schedule with one team finishing its rehearsals last week to prepare for the start of district play. Many characteristics and traits are revealing themselves on teams. Some are good and some need to be gone. Let’s review the fourth week of the Highland Lakes football season.

1. The Burnet Bulldogs earned a much-needed win Sept. 16. This one came at Giddings’ expense. But it wasn’t so much that Burnet won 28-7, it was how the Bulldogs won — junior receiver and safety Grant Jones. Jones scored two receiving touchdowns, intercepted a Buffalo pass on the Burnet 30-yard line, and blocked a punt that led to another score. His dad, athletics director Kurt Jones, spoke to the Bulldogs Sept. 12, noting they have what it takes to have a successful season. It’s always great when players show it on the field, and that was certainly the case for the Bulldogs in Giddings. Burnet will get another opportunity to add to the win column when the Bulldogs face Early (2-2, District 2-3A Division I) at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. The Longhorns beat Bangs 34-20 Aug. 26 and Troy 26-0 Sept. 16 to end a two-game losing skid against Tolar 51-14 Sept. 2 and Comanche 49-40 Sept. 9.
2. The Faith Academy of Marble Falls Flames didn’t waste an opportunity to get better even if officials weren’t present to throw flags for errors. The Flames beat San Antonio FEAST in a 60-12 in what became a scrimmage since officials were not in attendance because of a miscommunication. The two squads played two quarters and the Flames did more than show improvement following the 98-62 loss to Smoking For Jesus Ministry School a week earlier. The Flames protected the ball better and unveiled a zone defense that enhances the athletes’ natural talents. Head coach Stephen Shipley indicated those were the priorities throughout last week’s practices, so he was thrilled to see the results. Faith leaves the confines of Britton Field for the first time Friday, Sept. 23, when it travels to Austin Veritas (2-2, Division I District 1 of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools). The Defenders already have a win against one Highland Lakes school, Smoking for Jesus 56-52. Can they beat another?
3. The Smoking for Jesus Eagles lost their third of four games. This one came to Bastrop Tribe 76-31 in a district contest, the Eagles’ first as members of the Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations. Tribe committed to containing the Eagles’ run, allowing only 133 yards on 17 carries that resulted in one rushing touchdown. Eagles senior quarterback Isaac Legier led with 10 carries for 103 yards and the score. He also completed 16 of 34 passes for 221 yards and two touchdowns. But Tribe controlled the clock thanks to its rushing attack that resulted in 372 yards and 8 touchdowns on 31 carries led by junior running back Joshua McAlister’s 17 carries for 224 yards and 6 scores. SFJ looks to bounce back in a home game against Jonesboro (3-1, District 14-1A Division I of the University Interscholastic League) at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. Jonesboro has wins against Coolidge 68-20 Aug. 26, Austin St. Stephens 52-37 Sept. 9 and Greenville Christian 62-0 Sept. 17. The loss was to Westbrook 30-14 Sept. 1.
4. Another Friday night resulted in another win for the Llano Yellow Jackets. This one, on paper at least, looked as if the Coleman Bluecats, who were ranked in the top 10 in most Class 2A polls, were going to challenge the Jackets. And the 31-6 score indicates Llano simply handled business, giving up only six points in the second quarter. It’s hard to say which part of the ball impresses me more — the Llano offense where first-year starting quarterback Briggs Green is making the position all his own or the commitment to playing tough defense every down. Llano begins District 13-3A Division I play at San Antonio Cole (0-4) Friday, Sept. 23.
5. The Marble Falls Mustangs lost their second game this season 28-21 to Kerrville Tivy. Believe it or not, I was encouraged after this one. I saw fewer offensive penalties for two players in motion and holding. People are talking about the end of the contest and that the Mustangs were unable to run out the clock with about six minutes left for a one-point win. At the time, the Antlers had three timeouts and my belief was that Marble Falls needed three first downs to force Tivy to use their timeouts before taking a knee in victory formation. The Mustangs were one first down short. There were other factors that contributed to the outcome, including five flags for false starts during the contest. There’s no doubt this offensive line is learning more and more every game and Marble Falls continues to experience growing pains as these players learn. Let’s be crystal clear though. The Mustangs showed improvement in week four even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect it. The defense continues to give Marble Falls a chance to win every contest minus the 55-16 loss to Brownwood. The Mustangs will get another opportunity to grow when they travel to face Fredericksburg at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. The Billies are coming off a 17-14 loss to Wimberley Sept. 17 with their only win against Tivy 31-28. Fredericksburg has lost to Salado 53-17 Aug. 26 and Canyon Lake 6-0 in what I believe was a game called shortly after it started because of lightning.
6. Let’s hand out some game balls. The first is to Burnet junior Grant Jones, who accounted for 111 of the Bulldogs’ 187 yards in the air. He was a player on fire, igniting the path the victory and contributing in all three phases of the win against Giddings with a blocked punt that resulted in a touchdown and an interception that turned the Buffaloes away and may have taken what was left of their fight.
7. To the entire Faith defense. I won’t lie. When fans heard Smoking for Jesus scored 98 points against the Flames, they wondered about the defense. Credit Shipley and defensive coordinator Jay Silvers for seeing the best ways to help their players and installing new plays to enhance their abilities. As a result, the Flames gave up only one defensive touchdown to San Antonio FEAST in two quarters of work.
8. To SFJ senior quarterback Isaac Legier who accounted for 324 of the Eagles’ 354 yards. Legier is showing why he is among the elite splitbacks in six-man football and will continue to be a vital and important part of the offense.
9. To Marble Falls senior tailback Caleb Vidal who rushed for more than 100 yards in the loss to Tivy. Vidal had some important runs that eased the pressure off senior fullback Jasuel Ruiz and junior halfback Jamie Castillo. Vidal’s speed is a weapon for the Mustangs and will be needed throughout the season.
10. To Llano head coach Matt Green, who became the program’s most successful coach in getting win No. 44 Sept. 16. Green took over the program six years ago and few who know him are surprised by his success. He is a brilliant play caller and an a tremendous quarterback coach. But Green’s success isn’t entirely about his schemes; it’s in how he treats his players and the community. His players give their all every time they step on the field and people rally behind Green because of his ability to develop relationships and is a man of integrity. So it’s not hard to cheer for him or the Jackets. Congrats to coach Green, who will no doubt continue to add to the win total.

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