It was homecoming for BHS Friday night, an evening of excitement that drew a near capacity crowd; a crowd that got more than their money’s worth.
Ahost of BHS students were honored, from beaus to sweethearts, to the naming of the 2024 King and Queen themselves, Rhett Murry and Brooke Bowman.
The BHS couple was crowned at midfield to much applause. Big congrats to Burnet’s newest royalty.
The large home crowd was entertained all night. The BMS cheer squad joined the BHS cheerleaders on the sidelines and had fans cheering loud and proud for the green and white.
The Highlandettes and band not only stir the crowd with their stellar halftime show, they also kept the stands rocking from their seats.
From a ground view mums of all shapes and sizes let it be known, it’s homecoming.
Homecoming draws many extra attendees; this year multiple class reunions joined the fun. The Class of 1974 were there in numbers celebrating 50 years. The Class of 1984 was also taking up a large section of bleacher space, and 1991 had its fair share of alumni in attendance, many of them are there regularly.
Soon it was time, and the Dawgs were ready to put on a show for the largest crowd in quite some time.
It didn’t take long for the home team to excite their supporters, the Dawgs scored early and often starting with their opening drive.
A heavy dose of Josiah Coronado and Marcus Pimentel helped lead the Dawgs on a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Pimentel took it the finals steps on a direct snap 1-yard touchdown run. Marco Campos’ PAT was good, 7-0, 8:37 first.
Standout defender Noah Billock continues to shine weekly and got off to a great start with a 3-yard behind-the-line tackle on Lake View’s first snap. A Colt Johnson sack and a Trevin Park stop promptly forced the first punt.
The youngest Johnson, Bryan, most certainly got a hand on the punt, but a penalty and re-kick was to follow.
King Murray had become comfortable under center early in this one. A screen pass to Pimentel, who followed an outstanding Colt Stanford block, ate up 28-yards of real estate in a blink.
Coronado took over from there, on a seek and destroy mission. Threestraight runs covered 18-yards, his final tote being a 3-yard score, 140, 5:13 first.
Park, Demetrius Taliaferro, C. Johnson, Khris Kassner, David Prather, and Alejandro Ochoa made some big defensive plays during the ensuing series, but none bigger than the Bulldogs goal-line stand and fumble recovery at the 2-yard line.
Crazy things happen within the game of football. The Bulldogs moved 48-yards in sevenplays to the midfield stripe. On play eight a Chief intercepted a deep Murray pass. After a lengthy return across midfield, Johnathan Ryder laid a big lick jarring the ball loose and Coronado scooped it up and returned it 52-yards to the land of six for his second touchdown of the night, 21-0 Bulldogs, 8:51 second.
Burnet’s Tate Lambright, C. Johnson, Cason O’Hair, Peyton Shirley, and Ochoa all made plays defensively during the Chiefs next series, but multiple penalties on the Bulldogs, including pass interference and holding calls soon aided in the Chiefs’ first score, a 5-yard pass that brought the board to 21-7, 3:50 in the half.
The teams traded a few punts before the Dawgs put together an impressive 9-play scoring drive in the final 60-seconds of the half. Riley Howell drew a pass interference to move the ball near midfield before Coronado touched it three times covering 38-more yards.
In short time Murray’s mobility was key as the Bulldogs quarterback eluded heavy pressure before throwing a strike to O’Hair who set the Dawgs up with a first and goal at the 5-yard line.
A Murry to Howell connection covered the distance needed on the next snap and the Dawgs led 28-7 going into the break.
The Esprit de Corps halftime show is only getting better and a crowd pleaser for sure. They are envied by most visiting bands.
The Dawgs defense rapidly got fans on their feet to start the third. A 4-yard behind-theline tackle by Billock
Homecoming… see Page 14 was followed with a Pimentel interception to set the home team up just 29-yards from paydirt.
After three Pimentel carries and five by Coronado the Dawgs were adding to their total.
A 14-yard Murry to Pimentel touchdown connection made it 35-7, 7:48 third.
Back-to-back plays made by Holden Valdez put the Bulldogs right back in business; his second being a fumble recovery 16-steps from the zone.
A reverse to Stanford had fans being heard as he raced around and darted in for a score, 42-7, 6:29 third.
With 1:45 left in the third quarter the Chiefs punched in their second touchdown to make it, 42-14.
A host of new Bulldog faces were emerging. Charles Edwards took over at QB and numerous others stepped in the spotlight too.
Cohen Jorpeland got the next carry for Burnet and lowered the boom on a Chief defender on a 6-yard tote. In time the Dawgs faced a fourth and three to go near midfield. Out of Wild-Dawg formation B. Johnson showcased his speed with a blazing 45-yard touchdown run. Campos made good on his seventh PAT, 49-14 Bulldogs with the whole fourth quarter to go.
Big Dawg Peyton Lopez got the bulk of the carries in the final period and made some Chiefs pay with some bruising runs. Lopez soon added to his team’s total on a 2-yard TD run. A heads up fire drill conversion from Pimentel to Lopez added two more points bringing the final score to rest at 57-14.
There were many smiles as Coach Ben Speer rallied his troops at the conclusion as the Bulldogs soaked in the win. Speer reminded them of a few things, take care of your bodies, and make good choices were a few. Perhaps his biggest reminder, “District starts Friday. Every game is important now. This Friday night we play in Marble Falls and that is the most important game of the season right now.”
The Mustangs are 2-4 on the season. They fell to Devine 28-27 last week.
The county rivalry between the Bulldogs and Mustangs dates back over a century with both schools having their fair share of success but the Bulldogs are on top in the wins category.
Records rarely seem to matter when these two meet and there is never really any home field advantage because both fan bases pack the house.
Athletes from both schools are remembered from single game performances in the Burnet County grudge match. Hits always seem to be harder in this contest, as each squad plays with an abundance of pride.
Who will be remembered from this year’s battle?
Time will tell. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kick-off. Get there early, be loud and proud.
