Against Canyon Lake, Burnet football seeks first road win
CAPTION: Burnet offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Tyler McIntosh and the Bulldogs are preparing for another big District 13-4A Division I contest when they travel to face Fischer Canyon Lake. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Burnet High School football team faces Fischer Canyon Lake at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Hawk Stadium in a big District 13-4A Division I matchup.
A win would do plenty for both, especially since they are tied for third in the district standings. But the Bulldogs (4-3, 1-1) have yet to face San Antonio Davenport (5-2, 2-0), which is tied with Lampasas (6-1, 2-0) for the district lead. Davenport and Lampasas meet Oct. 20.
Burnet head coach Bryan Wood summed up what a victory would mean to his squad.
“Most importantly, it means we are in charge of us,” he said. “If you can get a ‘w,’ it means you’re in charge of your future. It’s never a good idea to put your future in someone else’s hands. And it’s time for the Bulldogs to go win a game the computer says you’re not supposed to. I don’t feel like we’ve won one of those games yet.”
Canyon Lake utilizes the Slot-T offense and has shown a knack for exploiting defenses’ weaknesses. During their 70-13 loss to Davenport last week, the Hawks (2-5, 1-1) threw for 125 yards and ran for 90, their worst rushing performance of the season.
Up until that contest, the Hawks had been averaging 222 rushing yards a contest led by senior Justin Abbott, who has 76 carries for 371 yards and four touchdowns during the season. Junior Carter Williams has 24 carries for 329 yards and four scores and six receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. Senior quarterback Steven Crowder has shown nice touch on his passes, completing 30 of 50 for 621 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. Junior Harris Gilliam has 13 catches for 236 and two touchdowns.
Wood complimented the Hawks, noting they mix up the plays and do a good job of taking what the defense gives them. He also noted the offensive linemen are tall, wide and strong, which is a great combination for run blocking and pass protecting.
“It’s more balanced of a slot-T attack than what you see normally,” he said. “It’s not predictable. They control the line of scrimmage, they throw it well enough, and you have to have it. You have to stop the pass as best you can. But it’s still slot-T. They have a balanced attack; efficient is the word.”
Burnet will rely on junior Lew Laidler, who had 10 tackles during the 24-0 win against Marble Falls last week, and junior linebacker Khriss Kassner and sophomore lineman Nathan Torres, who had seven tackles apiece against the Mustangs.
Defensively, the Hawks like to bring pressure with their front seven that goes between a 3-4 formation and a 3-3 stack formation.
“They mix it up more,” he said. “They want to get guys to the ball, and they get a lot of athletes to the ball. They have a bunch of guys who can run.”
Burnet will counter with a balanced attack of its own. Junior quarterback Rhett Murray has completed 67 of 107 passes for 1,118 yards, 14 touchdowns and one interception. Senior athlete Grant Jones has 27 catches for 621 yards and 10 scores and has 77 rushes for 594 yards and five touchdowns. Senior running back Dash Denton has 77 carries for 594 yards and five touchdowns, while junior running back Kassner has 37 rushes for 224 yards and four scores. Senior receiver Trenton Park has 19 catches for 262 yards and three touchdowns.
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