Burnet football faces more challenges than Brownwood

CAPTION: Burnet junior linebacker Khris Kassner and the Bulldogs aim to continue the great tackling when they play the Brownwood Lions Sept. 8. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

The Burnet High School football will face Brownwood at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at Gordon Wood Stadium.

The Bulldogs (1-1, District 13-4A Division I) beat Llano 47-12, while the Lions (2-0, District 2-4A Division I) defeated Marble Falls 56-7 on Sept. 1.

Brownwood is ranked in the top 10 in Class 4A.

“I think they’re really good,” Burnet head coach Bryan Wood said. “They’re going to have the best athletes on the field.”

Offensively, the Lions like to be in the shotgun in one-back sets with several receivers. Senior Ike Hall is considered a dual-threat quarterback. Through two games, he has completed 17 of 27 passes for 394 yards, four touchdowns and an interception and has 225 rushing yards and three scores. Sophomore running back Levi Pearson has 68 rushing yards and a touchdown and senior running back Jaylan Brown has 66 yards on the ground and three scores.

Brownwood is averaging 45.5 points and 397.5 yards per contest.

Wood pointed out the one series against the Mustangs that stood out to him.

After Marble Falls had the ball on the opening drive for almost eight minutes, Brownwood finally forced a punt. The ball got to the Lions’ six-yard line. On first down, Hall was almost tackled for a safety but got out of the end zone to be tackled on the one-yard line. On second down, Hall ran for four yards. On third down, Hall was nearly sacked in the end zone again but spun out of it and found a receiver on a long throw that turned into 94-yard passing score.

“He threw it up 40 yards, and the kid caught it and went for the touchdown,” Wood said. “He’s more of an athlete. They have guys and are tradition rich. Hopefully you can limit the offensive big plays.”

Defensively, the Lions return nine starters from a year ago.

“They’re plenty good,” Wood said. “Our kids know that. I know we’re going to have to go fight them tooth and nail.”

The Bulldogs will counter with seniors Dash Denton, Grant Jones, Trenton Park and Will Johnson. Denton has 13 carries for 211 yards and three touchdowns on the season. Jones has eight catches for 200 yards and three scores. Junior running back Khris Kassner has 12 carries for 109 yards and three scores. Junior quarterback Rhett Murray has completed 19 of 25 passes for 261 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He is expected to start against Brownwood.

Denton, Johnson Kassner and Park split time playing offense and defense.

Wood said he is curious about one trait about his team.

“I’m interested to see how we respond after a win,” he said. “I thought we did a great job of responding after La Vernia. It showed when we played Llano. How we respond right now, how well we play after coming off a big win – you have to learn how to handle that part of it.”

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