Burnet football wants better execution against Early
CAPTION: The Burnet defense faces another throw-first offense when the Bulldogs travel to face Early. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Burnet High School football team hits the road again Friday, Sept. 26, with the goal of having similar results.
Fresh off the Bulldogs’ (2-2, District 13-4A Division I) 28-7 win against Giddings, Burnet is looking to wrap up its pre-district schedule with some momentum headed into the bye week. But the Early Longhorns (2-2, District 2-3A Division II) need the same, which makes this an intriguing match-up.
The Longhorns run their version of the spread offense led by senior quarterback Jaxyn Price, who has completed 62 of 114 passes for 830 yards, 7 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Top targets are senior receivers Jeremy Brown, who has 20 receptions for 325 yards and 2 scores, and John-Stewart Gordon with 16 catches for 214 yards and a touchdown. Junior running back Griffin Cheslock has 39 rushes for 245 yards and 3 scores.
“They are a throw-the-ball-first offense,” Burnet head coach Bryan Wood said. “They have a couple of guys they go to. They run the ball well.”
Last week against Giddings, the Bulldogs were more than stingy — they were cruel in holding the Buffaloes to 226 yards of total offense where they contained the run at 118 yards and the pass at 108 yards. Wood noted Burnet will have to do that again with an opponent that averages about 208 yards in the air and 98 on the ground.
When it comes to the Early defense, Wood said it’s like looking in a mirror.
“They’re really fast,” he said. “They remind me of us. They’re going to rush us and run to the ball. They’re a 4-3 defense and do a good job with it.”
But no matter what the Longhorns do, Wood said this contest is more about Burnet. The Bulldogs are averaging 299 yards of total offense with 187 in the passing game. Senior quarterback Tanner O’Hair has completed 62 of 110 passes for 750 yards, 10 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Junior receiver Grant Jones has 17 receptions for 273 yards and 4 scores but much of that was from his 111 yards and 2 touchdowns against Giddings. Senior receiver Braden Ellett-Clark has 15 catches for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns.
“We have to execute better,” the coach said. “We had a couple of three-and-outs (against Giddings). Our best defense may be our offense staying on the field. They are dangerous enough to get behind you and break some big plays.”
Senior running back Jose Rodriguez has 69 carries for 273 yards.
Wood noted the importance of this contest in getting ready for the start of district play that begins Friday, Oct. 7 at Bulldog Field.
“We have one more practice game before district,” he said. “We want to finish on a good note as we prepare for Lampasas.”
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