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Burnet senior linebacker, Braeden Howell, annihilates Boerne Greyhound back Scott Hettie for a behind-the-line tackle that brought Bulldog fans to their feet during Friday’s game in Burnet. Wayne Craig/Clear Memories -
Burnet senior running back, Marcus Escamilla, finds a little running room and turns up-field during Friday nights game against Boerne. Escamilla scored the Dawgs only touchdown on the night on a two-yard rush late in the second which brought the score to 14-7. For his efforts on Friday night Escamilla was named this week’s offensive MVP. Wayne Craig/Clear Memories
Even in a COVID pandemic the excitement was building in Burnet leading up to Friday’s Bulldogs versus the Boerne Greyhounds contest. Football fever was the only thing that seemed to be spreading through the stands but that wasn’t the case at field level.
At times there were some vocal leaders on the turf, but in most cases, they were wearing the wrong color. Boerne brought an inspired group of Greyhounds to town and those boys played with a chip facing the highly ranked Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs played with heart, but when you’re one for nine on third down attempts while your counterparts convert an impressive 75 percent of third down tries, that’s a problem.
It’s never just one thing that changes the outcome, usually it’s a variety of little things, fortunately for the Bulldogs that looked to be the case.
The only thing hurt Friday was Bulldog pride; a few quick fixes and the Dawgs should be back on track. That’s the belief of numerous longtime fans.
The two squads traded punts early before the Greyhounds drew first blood. A 35-yard pass completion setup their first score; an 11-yard quarterback run by junior Rashawn Galloway to paydirt. The PAT was good, 7-0, 4:00 remaining in the first.
Galloway added the games second score midway through the second on another keep. This one was a 2-yard touchdown to cap a 13-play, 75-yard drive, 14-0, 7:09 second.
The Bulldog offense had only earned one first down to this point, but their fourth series had some length to it and gave Bulldog defenders much needed rest.
The 11-play, 63-yard drive came mostly on the heels of running back Marcus Escamilla’s eight carries. Quarterback Jaxson Denton completed three first down passes along the way to receivers Devonte Miller, Jackson Crawford and Gunnar Blair. Escamilla finished things off with a twoyard run to make it 14-7 late second.
A forced fumble by Braeden Howell, recovered by Landon Christian, would keep that score the same going into the break.
The Burnet Esprit de Corp entertained the crowd with their halftime performance and in short time the second half began.
It only took the visiting Greyhounds three plays and 56 seconds to add to their lead. Sophomore receiver Riley Pechacek stood wide-open at the Bulldog 40, waited patiently for the ball, and turned up-field finishing off what went in the books as a 64-yard touchdown. With 11:04 left in the third Boerne led, 21-7.
Miller soon showcased his skills hauling in a 43-yard deep ball strike from Denton that flipped the field for the Bulldogs in a blink. An interference call gave the Dawgs new life inside the 10, but an illegal crack-back block had tempers flaring and the Bulldogs losing valuable field position. An interception ended the Dawgs opportunity and things began to spiral.
Howell, Thornley, Laidler and Miller combined defensive efforts to stop the Hounds next series. A Miller sack on a fourth down attempt turned it over on downs.
The Bulldogs offense continued to struggle and dropped another opportunity that led to a three and out punt. Lickety-split the Hounds
Lickety-split the Hounds were back in the paint. This series took five-snaps to cover 72 yards. A 50-yard touchdown connection made it 27-7, 1:18 third.
With just over two minutes to play Boerne added more points; this coming on a 37-yard field goal to make the final, 30-7. The final stats revealed Bo
The final stats revealed Boerne outgained the Dawgs 428 yards to 203. The Greyhounds collected 22 first downs to Burnet’s 13.
The Bulldogs will face the 1-2 Brownwood Lions this Friday for homecoming. Don’t let the record fool you; their losses came to No. 2 ranked Lampasas, 55-23 and China Spring, 35-14.
With the exceptions of a struggling Waco Robinson squad and a Taylor Duck team that hasn’t sniffed a win since 2018, it will be tough sledding week-after-week for Burnet from here on out.
Anyone who glances down the schedule and sees 3-0 Fredericksburg, 3-0 Lampasas, one of the pre-season favorites in LBJ, and a very capable 2-1 Canyon Lake squad know the challenges that await.
The Bulldogs have the tools, but their A-game will be needed all four quarters, all season long.
Tickets for Thursday’s homecoming match can be purchased online at the Burnet CISD website. You can also find information there about this week’s parade and bonfire.
