Burnet SQT welcoming familiar teams
CAPTION: Burnet senior Matthew Williams and the Bulldogs are hosting their annual state qualifying tournament Saturday, May 31. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
Eight teams are playing in the Burnet 7-on-7 State Qualifying Tournament Saturday, May 31, for one berth into the state tournament.
Teams in pool A are Academy, Lago Vista, Llano and Taylor. Pool B teams include Burnet, China Spring, Marble Falls and Troy.
“We’re looking at the same teams we had last year,” said Burnet head coach Ben Speer, who is the tournament director. “It’s a good draw, it’s a good tournament we put on.”
Games begin at 9 a.m. at Bulldog Field with Marble Falls and Troy competing on the “Scoreboard” side of the field and Burnet and China Spring facing each other on the “Field House” side of the field.
Llano and Taylor will meet at 9:45 a.m. Then Marble Falls and China Spring and Troy and Burnet play at 10:30 a.m. Llano returns to the field against Lago Vista at 11:15 a.m., while Burnet and Marble Falls play at noon. Llano finishes pool play against Academy at 12:35 p.m.
The winner of each bracket will meet in the championship that begins at 1:45 p.m.
Speer is anticipating a very competitive tournament.
“China Spring is China Spring,” he said. “They have guys who can compete.”
The Bulldogs and the Mustangs are each searching for their new starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
Since Burnet’s baseball season ended May 10, seniors Charles Edwards and Cohen Jorpeland have split series at quarterback.
Offensive coordinator Colton Brewer has specifics he is looking for from the starting quarterback.
Top of the list are the obvious traits – leadership on and off the field, commitment to studying film and the playbook, rapport with teammates, taking care of the ball, and making the right plays. Brewer also is looking for other qualities that may not be as apparent – how the quarterback reacts when time is running out, why was the ball throw to that spot, how quickly does he process the field and delivers the ball, is it on time?
And though 7 on 7 will give coaches some data, neither Brewer and Speer are naming a starter this early. But both have indicated they remain encouraged by what they are seeing from the Bulldogs’ offense and believe the unit is making positive strides every time they step onto the field.
The Bulldogs begin the 2025 season at Lago Vista at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29.
