Burnet football gets plenty done during bye week
CAPTION: The Burnet Bulldogs defense uses a combination of players to set a tough tone that includes linebackers Khris Kassner (20), Will Johnson (7) and Dash Denton (1). The Bulldogs make a big stop during the 52-14 victory Sept. 25. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Burnet High School football team may have a bye this week, but the Bulldogs haven’t been resting.
Head coach Bryan Wood noted the players have put in quality work in smaller practices.
“We shortened practices a little bit,” he said. “We’re going about an hour and 15 minutes. And we went back to basic things. We went back through the first five games and hit on things we needed to correct. We hit a little bit on everything in 10-minute segments we’re trying to hit on.”
Wood said he’s used this week to study video of District 13-4A members, especially Lampasas. The Bulldogs travel to face the Badgers (4-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Badger Field.
“I’ve watched a lot of YouTube replays,” he said. “We have Lampasas film, we have that breakdown. We’re able to go back and pick games off the internet. I did that out of curiosity. It’s good to put an eye on everybody. We went back and showed the kids the first quarter of last year’s game against Lampasas. We haven’t given the kids a lot in terms of game plan.”
Lampasas was the last team in the district to lose a game. That happened against state-ranked Wimberley 41-20 Sept. 22. The Badgers beat Pflugerville Connally 36-28 Sept. 14, Georgetown East View 72-37 Sept. 8, Austin Northeast 49-0 Sept. 1, and Elgin 31-23 Aug. 25.
The Badgers had 162 yards rushing and 161 yards passing during the loss to the Texans. The Badgers are averaging 233 rushing yards, 214 receiving yards, 42 points a game and allowed 26 points a contest.
Wood’s film study confirms the parity that’s within the district, he said. It’s one reason why the Bulldogs have emphasized the fundamentals of offense, defense and special teams during the bye week. Wood noted the Bulldogs have blocked a punt for a touchdown against Llano and had a chance at another. Burnet also has three more turnovers than it has given up. Because of the amount of balance throughout the district, he believes a team’s ability to score non-offensive touchdowns allows them to turn momentum and either increase a lead or chip at a deficit that paves the way to victory.
“It’s why we go over how to block a punt or stay in your lane in kickoff coverages,” he said. “I think the district is pretty good. I don’t think there’s a huge gap.”
When it comes to the Bulldogs, most immediately go to a quartet of seniors: Dash Denton, Grant Jones, Will Johnson and Trenton Park. The four play in at least two phases of the game, sometimes three. All are dangerous because of their ability to break tackles behind the line of scrimmage, great hands and speed.
The Bulldogs (3-2) also have taken care of business against Llano, Giddings and Early where they showed their ability to score quickly, answer a score and shut down the opponent. The two losses have been to state-ranked La Vernia and Brownwood. Even then, Burnet has committed itself to learn from those setbacks and apply them against the next opponent.
Giving the players shorter practices while also keeping them mentally sharp was part of the agenda this week, one which Wood believes will prove beneficial as the Bulldogs enter the next phase of their season.
“We got better this week,” he said.
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