Ten Highland Lakes Sports Insights

CAPTION: Marble Falls defensive coach Jaime Graham talks to sophomore defensive back C.J. Alexander before the player heads back on the field and record an interception against Fredericksburg. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

Another bye week has come and gone for Burnet County football teams. People who know me know how much I dislike byes. Perhaps I’m as addicted to the Friday night lights as the players themselves. After covering sports in different parts of the country, there’s no question that high school football in this state is simply different. So let’s talk some football.

1. Only one Highland Lakes football team played Sept. 29 — the Llano Yellow Jackets in another important District 13-3A Division I match-up with a long road trip to Luling. The Jackets made quick work of the Eagles (2-4, 0-2), racing to a 50-7 advantage by the half that triggered a running clock throughout the second half. By 9:15 p.m. the game was finished and Llano won 53-13. To say the Jackets were outstanding is an understatement. The truth is they sent a clear message from the start thanks to — big surprise — the defense. Luling went backward on first and second downs on the opening offensive drive of the contest. Then on third down, a swarm of Jackets sacked quarterback Kiegan Rizer for a safety. And the rout was on. Next up is a battle of undefeated district teams when Universal City Randolph visits Llano Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6. The Ro-Hawks (6-0, 2-0) beat Blanco 21-7 Sept. 29.
2. The next part of the 2023 season begins for the Burnet (3-2) and Marble Falls (1-4) football programs. Both have important match-ups Friday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m. Let’s start with the Bulldogs, who will travel to Lampasas (4-1). The Bulldogs have the Badgers full attention. How do I know? Because several of the players were in Burnet Sept. 15 to watch the Bulldogs beat Giddings. There’s no question the Bulldogs are better this season than in 2022. They are showing an important element of the season, one that becomes vital during this time of year: depth. Head coach Bryan Wood and his staff are meticulous at how and when they use the personnel available to them. They have a way of knowing who to insert in the most important moments of a contest in order to get the maximum results. The question is have they evened the playing field enough so that key personnel have enough left in the tank to ensure a victory? We’ll see. But let me state this. The winner of this game takes a big step toward the postseason, while the loser isn’t eliminated. And that’s because I believe Burnet, Lampasas and San Antonio Davenport are all playoff teams in 2023. They’ll decide the order.
3. Marble Falls welcomes Fischer Canyon Lake (1-4). The Hawks, who are the defending district champions, look like they began this season the way they started 2022. They lost three consecutive games before going on a seven-game tear last season. People say Canyon Lake is better than its record indicates with losses to state-ranked Wimberley 60-6 Aug. 25, Boerne Champion 42-20, San Antonio Veterans Memorial 50-42, and San Antonio East Central 58-16. The Hawks’ lone win was against Fredericksburg 52-43, the same Billies team the Mustangs beat 14-9 Sept. 22. Winning this game in the district opener is huge for both teams because it takes them a step closer to a playoff berth.
4. The Burnet Lady Dawgs volleyball team continue their march through District 24-4A and finished rivalry week with two important victories. They beat the Marble Falls Lady Mustangs 25-15, 25-19, 26-24 Sept. 29 after prevailing at Lampasas 25-9, 25-8, 25-9 three nights earlier. What makes the Lady Dawgs so difficult to beat is the depth on the roster. Most everyone knows about seniors MaeSyn Gay and Zaria Solis and their ability to record kills in a hurry. But junior setter Camryn Courtney is committed to involving more hitters and distributing the wealth. And they are answering led by seniors Addie Houston and Laney Huffman and junior Lauren Howton. Few coaches know how to develop players better than head coach Crystal Shipley, and it’s showing in spades because the defense isn’t able to stop everyone.
5. The victory at Lampasas was especially memorable because it was Shipley’s 100th career victory. In the five years she has been at the helm, Burnet has won at least two district titles and reached the Class 4A Region III tournament once. Some may say — including Shipley herself — that many talented players have come through the program in the last five seasons. And when Shipley was hired at Burnet Consolidated Independent School District, she was a middle school coach before taking over the program as the head coach. In short, she saw the talent that was coming. But having talent and developing it are separate. Shipley has proven she can develop talented players and guide them to championships. That’s why the Lady Dawgs are seeking their third consecutive district title.
6. Let’s take a closer look at the Lady Mustangs, who are still seeking their first victory in district play. Of their three losses, two were against the top teams in the district: Burnet and Georgetown Gateway (3-0 record after sweeping Jarrell Sept. 29). Head coach Kait Goertz will correctly point out that her athletes are competing well, especially toward the end of matches. They lost to Jarrell 10-25, 17-25, 25-27 in the district opener Sept. 22, to Gateway 18-25, 8-25, 23-25 Sept. 26, and to Burnet 15-25, 19-25, 24-26. They scored at least 15 points in each set against the Lady Dawgs, clearly their best showing from start to finish in a district match. So what’s the reason for these outcomes? Burnet and Gateway are the best in the district; everyone else is fighting for third and fourth. That’s the truth. And that’s because the Lady Dawgs and the Lady Gators know how to do one important task that isn’t talked about enough. They know how to close out an opponent. That comes down to their go-to players. We already mentioned Gay and Solis for Burnet. And Gateway had a couple who embrace all that comes with that role. Jarrell and Gateway won against Marble Falls because the Lady Mustangs committed hitting errors on match point. One was on a kill that went out on a cross-court spike. The other was the result of a player trying to make a play at the net and misjudging the height of the ball and distance between it and the net. In both instances, Goertz seemed comfortable with the Lady Mustangs who touched the ball last in both matches. And coaches would know best how much closing out an opponent comes down to being physically able (height, jumping ability, well-conditioned) versus mentality (the experience of doing it before, the self-confidence that comes with playing hundreds of matches throughout the years). Marble Falls still has a shot at the playoffs and it must start winning now. The Lady Mustangs host Lago Vista at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3 before traveling to Lampasas at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6.
7. The Faith Academy of Marble Falls Lady Flames will have three consecutive home matches beginning Tuesday, Oct. 3, when they welcome Bryan Brazos Christian, which is currently second in the District 3-3A race of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. On Thursday, Oct. 5, Temple Central Texas Christian, the No. 3 team in the district, visits The Fire Pit. The homestead ends Tuesday, Oct. 10, when Waco Live Oak, the No. 4 team in the standings, comes to Marble Falls. Lady Flames head coach Erin Sawyer noted her athletes are playing very well, and she believes they are ready for this crucial stretch in their season. And they will be challenged. Brazos Christian and CTC have each won more than 25 matches this season. Live Oak is looking for the season sweep against Faith. Needless to say, there’s plenty at stake for each opponent, too. All varsity matches are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
8. The Llano Lady Jackets also have a crucial stretch during District 5-3A play. Llano lost to Blanco in three straight Sept. 29 after sweeping Brady Sept. 26. They welcome Comfort, one of the favorites to win the district title, Tuesday, Oct. 3, and Harper Friday, Oct. 6, in a non-district match-up. After the surprise loss to Florence Sept. 19, Llano has played much better because head coach Claire Head is unafraid to make changes to the rotation in order to give the Lady Jackets the best chance at winning. And when the district has as much depth and talent as this one, success favors those who are bold in their decisions.
9. Let’s switch to the hard courts. The Marble Falls High School team tennis squad defeated Burnet to advance to the championship of the District 19-4A tournament. Elin Gosselin won the 10th match for Marble Falls, giving the Mustangs its second overall win over the Bulldogs in as many weeks. Congratulations to head coach Samuel Whitley and Marble Falls for earning the right to face Lago Vista for the district championship and the No. 1 seed in the Class 4A playoffs. The two teams will play at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Charlie and Nancy Herrington Tennis Center on the Marble Falls High School campus. Burnet faces Salado for the third seed.
10. The District 24-4A cross country meet is Monday, Oct. 9, at Marble Falls High School. District members got a great feel for the course thanks to participating in the Leonel Manzano and Rick Edwards Invitational Sept. 30. The good news is there are few secrets left among the squads. They know which teams have the most runners and which have the quality runners and are the favorites to win the titles. Spectators won’t be bored as they watch the races unfold.

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