Burnet football takes on Stephenville

Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

The Burnet High School football team welcomes Stephenville at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at Bulldog Field in the final regular season contest before starting the playoffs.

Stephenville was the ranked No. 1 in the state until a 63-17 loss to Ruston, La. Oct. 5 to snap a five-game winning streak. Since then the Yellowjackets (8-1, 3-0) have reeled off three consecutive district wins and stayed in the top 10. Currently, they’re ranked No. 4.

“They are talented in every position,” Burnet head coach Ben Speer said. “They’re well coached. It’s hard to compete with people with depth and talent.”

Stephenville has a high-octane offense that averages 422 yards per game. It is operated by senior quarterback Ryan Gafford, who has completed 133 of 189 passes for 1,927 yards, 27 touchdowns and four interceptions and 18 carries for 56 yards and two scores. Gafford took over as the starter in the second game two years ago.

Senior running back Sawyer Wilkerson has 122 rushes for 1,051 yards and 14 touchdowns and has 14 catches for 164 yards and a score. Sophomore running back Zyler McClendon had 67 carries for 398 yards and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Tristian Gentry has 57 receptions for 1,087 yards and 14 scores.

Burnet will counter with seniors Noah Billock, who has 49 tackles, Khris Kassner, who has 73 tackles, Alejandro Ochoa, who has 66 tackles, and junior Trevin Park, who has 45 tackles.

Burnet will rely on senior quarterback Rhett Murray to lead its spread offense. He has completed 126 of 224 passes for 1,642 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions, junior running back Josiah Coronado, who has 137 carries for 821 yards and four scores, and senior receiver Colt Stanford, who has 29 catches for 452 yards and four touchdowns.

Defensively Stephenville is led by a trio of juniors: linebacker Hudson Butchee, who has 110 tackles and two sacks, linebacker Caleb Taylor, who has 94 tackles, blocked punt and two sacks, and defensive end C.J. Spellmeier, who has 58 tackles, five sacks and three fumble recoveries.

In the history of its program, Stephenville has won six state titles with its most recent in 2021 with current head coach Sterling Doty at the helm. This is his seventh season coaching his alma mater. He was an offensive lineman on the 1998 and 1999 state championships teams and graduated in 2001.

“They’re well coached,” Speer said. “They try not to be very complex on what they do, and they do it well. I’m impressed with their ability and depth.”

While Speer has respect for Stephenville and its program, he also noted the Bulldogs see opportunities in the challenges.

“It’s about us and our growth and our development,” he said. “Our guys would be more confident in who they are. Stephenville is good. They’re very good. They’re a top team in the state. They’re definitely the favorite to win the regional. In every position they have a solid guy. They’re well coached and disciplined. They have size and they have speed. We’ll have to do things that shorten the game and give us a chance in the fourth quarter.”

Burnet will face Andrews for a bi-district title at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m.