Burnet football celebrates 2024 season
CAPTION: Burnet junior running back Josiah Coronado was one of several Bulldogs who had terrific 2024 seasons and received several postseason honors. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
The Burnet High School football program celebrated the accomplishments of the 2024 season during a fish fry banquet Jan. 13.
The program’s motto was “Be the One.” Head coach Ben Speer noted the drive for success last season began Nov. 20, 2023, the first day of the offseason program.
“We saw huge gains made and culture development,” he said. “These guys have been through a lot. They had their fourth head coaching change. These boys are very resilient.”
Speer and the staff then announced the recipients of the Bulldogs’ team awards.
The team’s Most Valuable Player was Marcus Pimentel.
“It was his commitment to his teammates that he stepped down in one position to step up in two others,” Speer said. “He was reliable and an extension of every coach. I’ve had a junior say, ‘I want to be Marcus next year.’ Sometimes it isn’t about you. The older you get, you realize what sacrifice is.”
Quarterback Rhett Murray was named the Offense’s Overall Most Valuable Player.
“I don’t have the right words to say what this player means to me,” offensive coordinator Colton Brewer said. “He did a good job handling my crazy ideas and making stuff work. I’m so proud of the year you had.”
Running back Josiah Coronado is the Offensive Skill’s Most Valuable Player.
“He was a dynamic player for us,” Brewer said. “He was one of the guys we thought could make us look smarter. He was just short of 1,000 yards. He was a guy you could count on all the time. He could look at you with a big OK smile and he’ll come back for more.”
The Offensive Line’s Most Valuable Player is Johnathan Ryder.
“There are a lot of things we talk about,” offensive line coach Zane Hicks said. “How do we give him more because he can handle it? You try to give him more and more because he can handle it.”
Defensive coordinator Joran Heusinkveld announced that Alejandro Ochoa is the overall Defensive Most Valuable Player.
“What I learned about this kid is he’s going to be the first in the building and the last one to leave,” he said. “You got to see it in the way he played.”
The defensive line’s Most Valuable Player is Noah Billock.
“We could always count on him to anchor the left side of the line, to do his job every day,” Speer said. “He was a great teammate.”
Defensive backs coach Russell Houston presented the Defensive Skills Most Valuable Player to Khris Kassner.
“I expected him to step up and play a leadership role,” the coach said. “He did a lot of growing.”
Kicker Marco Campos-Huerta and Jordyn Jones were named Special Teams co-Most Valuable Players.
Assistant coach Shane Carbee noted that Campos has more than 20 touchbacks and “pinned them back numerous times.”
He added that Jones “is not a flashy guy. He had a big impact on kickoffs. He does his job every day.”
The Newcomer of the Year is Matthew Williams.
“Sitting in the coach’s office in the spring, you shuffling people around,” Speer said. “I think this guy is going to be this dude. We’re excited about him. He has great things coming his way.”
Riley Howell is the Be The One recipient, while the Ride for the Brand award went to Lyndon Scott.
Speer noted both awards are about putting the well being of the team first.
“I want to do whatever it is for my teammates,” he said. “You need individuals to rise up and show up every day. ‘This is my job and who I am, this is my role.'”
Named first team all-district were Murray, Pimento, Ryder and Campos-Huerta.
Second team members are Johnny Charron, Evan Joiner, Lew Laidler as a defensive back and punter, Jordyn Jones, Cason O’Hair, Trevin Park, Colt Stanford, Matthew Williams, Coronado, Howell, linebacker and running back Kassner, Kassner Pimentel and Ochoa.
Honorable mention went to Shane Ikonen, Peyton Lopez, David Prather, Nathan Torres, Aden Sanchez and Holden Valdez.
Each player received a certificate of appreciation.
Several Bulldogs also were named to the Texas High School Coaches Association academic all-state team.
Jaylee Messer was named to the first team, while Brooke Bowman, Kassner, Murray, Pimentel, Marguerite Reed and Scott were named to the second team, and Billock, Ryder, Stanford and Aden Sanchez were named honorable mention.
Though the end of the season isn’t easy, Speer noted there’s plenty to look forward to in 2025.
“Numbers-wise, you have to have it to play Class 4A Division I,” he said. “The numbers keep going up and up. That’s kudos to our middle school and high school coaches. We’re fortunate to have a strong coaching staff at every level. Thank you for your support of me. Your impact on your players doesn’t go unnoticed.”
