Middle School football: Marble Falls takes two from Burnet

CAPTION: The Marble Falls seventh-grade A team gathers for post-game congratulations from their coaches after beating Burnet. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

Marble Falls Middle School welcomed Burnet to Pony Stadium Oct. 13.

The Marble Falls seventh-grade A team won 32-12 and the eighth-graders also won 6-0, while the Burnet seventh-grade B team earned the 14-0 win.

During the A game, Marble Falls coaches credited the offensive linemen for their victory.

“Our offensive linemen came out firing from the very beginning and never let up,” coach Andrew Landin said.

That paved the way for running back Braxton Dicken to run for three touchdowns and two 2-point conversions. Clayton Thompson also had two touchdowns. Other two-point conversions were scored by Anderson Liscum and Rayden Skinner.

The victory also wouldn’t have been possible without stellar defense. The standouts are Leroy Roach, Hayden Liscum and Avery Hilton.

“Overall everyone contributed in the victory,” Landin said. “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. We are proud of you boys.”

Burnet coaches were equally proud of their bunch, noting the “game that should have been more lopsided was kept close through the individual efforts of Ryan Vazquez.”

Vazquez scored a touchdown on the final possession by taking the ball away from the Marble Falls running back and scampering for the 50-yard score. Burnet also had a great showing from Korben Ribera at safety, who “helped corral the Mustangs when they broke through the first line of defense,” coaches said.

Landin called the game between the B teams “a tough battle.”

“We had our offense moving the ball well and our defense made crucial stops,” he said.

The Burnet defense, however, had answers beginning with Connor Hyska, who had some big tackles, coaches said.

Cayden Farmer had another big day capping off multiple big hits and tackles for loss, coaches pointed out. Farmer also had some huge runs and one resulted in a touchdown. Fletcher Cokendolpher added the other on a 30-yard scamper.

Marble Falls standouts of the game were Garner Keeton, Johnathan Woffard and Cade Calvery “for their toughness and resilience.”

The eighth-grade game ended in a 6-0 Marble Falls win thanks to a touchdown on the opening drive.

Burnet coaches quickly made defensive adjustments that kept the Marble Falls offense in check.

But the Marble Falls defense was equally up for the challenge.

“Unfortunately, turnovers on the Dawgs’ first and last possessions would prove costly as we could not get the ball in the end zone,” coaches noted, adding their eighth-graders “competed (fast) and fought valiantly.”

Burnet’s Ryder Corbell had a 40-yard reception that he “stole away from the Mustangs defender,” coaches said.

Rigo Valdez saved a touchdown when he ran down the running back and punched the ball free on the two-yard line that resulted in a touchback. Callan Syphrett had some big plays. Luke Laidler kept the Dawgs in the game when he transitioned to quarterback and led an impressive drive before the Mustangs made the final stop.

Burnet is traveling to La Vernia Thursday, Oct. 20. Seventh-grade B plays at 4:30 p.m., the A team takes the field at 5:30 p.m., the eighth-grade B team plays at 6:30 p.m., and the A team is on the field at 7:30 p.m.

Marble Falls travels to face Taylor, Thursday, Oct. 20. The seventh-grade B team plays at 4:30 p.m. followed by the A team at 5:45 p.m. and the eighth-graders at 7:15 p.m.

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