Burnet boys soccer shocks Davenport for 1st playoff win

The Burnet High School boys soccer team defeated San Antonio Davenport 3-1 in a Class 4A bi-district championship match that needed 80 minutes of regulation and two overtimes to decide.

“This was an upset,” Burnet head coach Benjamin Boorman said. “(The Wolves) were expected to compete this year in the regionals at least. Last year was the first time the Bulldogs competed in the playoffs. This year was the first bi-district championship for the boys in school history. I’m so excited for our young men who work so hard. Our motto is #BTF. Last year it was Build The Foundation. We described building a forever home and building the right culture and skill. This was paid off by our playoff berth. This year was Build The Framework. Now that we have our foundation, it’s time to build the structure of the home to last forever.  This win was unexpected as Davenport was by far the favorite to win. Our boys have really bought into the culture and are ahead of where I thought we would be building a championship mentality.”

Burnet will face La Vernia at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Hays Lehman High School, 1700 Lehman Road. Buy advanced tickets here.

The contest against Davenport remained tied at 1-1 after the first 10-minute overtime. By University Interscholastic League rules, two 10-minute overtimes must be played, regardless of whether one team scores in the first overtime.

The Bulldogs (11-11, 5-5 District 25-4A fourth place) broke the tie five minutes into the second overtime. Hector Arredondo beat his defender at the top of the box and as he entered the 18-yard box, his legs were taken out by the central defender that compelled officials to award a penalty kick. 

“Hector Arredondo finished the opportunity that he created in the right side of the goal,” Boorman said. “Hector took over the game.”

Two minutes later, Eric Huerta received a through ball and passed back to Arredondo, who hit “a perfect ball from 35 yards out with his weak foot that went into the upper 90.”

The Bulldogs struck first thanks to Victor Aviles on a “calculated cross that was perfectly timed” from Genesis Ceron. The play started when Arredondo “beat his man one on one in the midfield and played a through ball down the right wing to Genesis.”

After the intermission, Davenport (12-10, 6-4 District 26-4A co runners-up) tied the contest when a Wolf beat two Bulldogs and took a contested shot “from distance that snuck past the outstrectched arms of (goalie) Damian Ibanez, hit the post and went in.”

Meanwhile, the Burnet defenders committed to not allowing anymore Davenport goals, no matter how long the match lasted.

“Derik Colis and Rigo Valdez played amazing at central defense for their best performances of the season,” the coach said. “The real hero was Damian Ibanez in goal. He had the game of his life.” 

Boorman explained why this outcome is considered an upset.

The Bulldogs were ranked No. 154 and the Wolves was ranked No. 72 in Class 4A headed into the postseason.

Davenport, which opened in 2020, was in the playoffs by 2022 and won its first bi-district title in its first attempt. Last season, they advanced to the second round.

Meanwhile, Burnet’s program is less than 10 years old and advanced to the playoffs for the first time last year.

“I am indebted to Burnet’s commitment to soccer,” the coach said. “We have great support from our athletic director (Kurt Jones) and are provided everything we need to be a championship program. I am grateful to all the former soccer coaches, who built this program over the last nine years. This is a big win for all the alumni who are lifetime Bulldogs. The Burnet athletic program is top notch. Every program has a winning history. I am surrounded with fellow coaches who work extremely hard and take their profession seriously. I am glad that our soccer program is finally living up to the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District standard. We definitely displayed Spirit, Pride, and Honor on the field. We appreciate all of the parents and community members who have made sacrifices to support our program. It was amazing seeing our parents and fans waving Burnet flags and having something to be proud about.”

Watch videos on Highland Lakes sports by going to Fierro’s YouTube channel and searching for The Broad Podcaster. Please like, subscribe and share.