Burnet football announces all-district selections

CAPTION: Burnet seniors Dash Denton (1) and Grant Jones (3) turned in performances that made District 13-4A Division I coaches place them among the best in the district. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

A team that wins a share of the District 13-4A Division I championship places many of its football players on the all-district team.

The Burnet Bulldogs were no different

Senior athlete Grant Jones is the District’s Most Valuable Player.

“I threw his name up there,” Wood said. “It was quick. There were a number of coaches who said, ‘You did such a good job with Grant. We never knew where he was going to be.'”

Jones lined up in just about every skill position on offense, defense and special teams and strived to be a game changer every time he touched the ball.

Junior quarterback Rhett Murray is the Co-Newcomer of the Year, sharing the honor with San Antonio Davenport sophomore Barrett Fallon.

“There were two guys we nominated,” Wood said. “They split votes. Rhett for coming out off the junior varsity and throwing for a couple of thousand yards — that’s pretty good.”

Senior linebacker Trenton Park is the unanimous selection for Defensive Utility Player of the Year.

“He’s a guy who’s really good on defense who can play multiple positions,” the coach said. “We played him at outside linebacker, we played him at a little safety. He’s one of those guys who can play anywhere. He’s that kind of kid. He’s really good at that first position but can play multiple positions.”

Senior Dash Denton was a unanimous first team all-district selection at running back and inside linebacker. Senior Trenton Park was a unanimous selection at receiver. Junior offensive lineman Johnathan Ryder also was a first team all-district selection.

“Dash is Dash,” Wood said. “He’s a football player. Dash broke the 1,000-yard mark. (Ryder) is very consistent. He does work at it. He’s the leader of the offensive line.”

Senior Will Johnson was a unanimous selection at outside linebacker. Senior defensive back Gilbert Valdez also was named first team all-district.

“Will played the majority of the year with a partially torn labrum ,” Wood said. “I think about toughness. He was in a lot of pain and kept grinding. When you have Trenton and Will on opposite sides, you have the edges covered.”

He noted Valdez has been a starter at cornerback for two years.

“He’s a super kid, who’s a very smart player,” the coach said. “He’s not going to outrun or outjump you. He gets his body in the right position. He may play undersized, but he’s really good.”

Second team all-district honorees include junior running back and linebacker Khris Kassner, senior receiver Garner Krause, senior defensive back Jacob Atkinson, junior defensive back Colt Stanford, and sophomore defensive lineman Riley Howell.

“In my mind, (Kassner) could be a first teamer,” Wood said. “He’s a get-after-it kid. He’s going to be very important next year as a linebacker and running back. Now he’s going to be the guy.”

Honorable mention honors went to offensive linemen Johnny Charron, Shane Ikonen and Braeden McKenzie, outside linebacker Jace Haberer, receiver Conner Crow, kicker Sam Rodriguez, defensive linemen Noah Billock and Casyn Taylor, tight end Johnson and special teamers Jayce Brizendine and Tyson Trim.

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