Burnet gets big win against Marble Falls at own SQT

CAPTION: Burnet receiver Riley Howell tucks the ball and braces for to be tagged by the Marble Falls Mustangs. Photos by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

The Burnet High School 7-on-7 team earned a 1-2 record at its own state qualifying tournament May 31.

But the Bulldogs’ lone win came against Marble Falls 7-0 in their final contest of the day.

Quarterback Cohen Jorpeland found receiver Matthew Williams for the game’s only score on the Bulldogs’ first possession of the contest.

Burnet head coach and tournament director Ben Speer said the two Burnet County rivals were set to met in the final game of pool play purposely.

“No matter what, it’ll be a great ending,” he said. “We’re going to get the best from both sides.”

The Bulldogs began the day with a 21-0 loss to China Spring followed by a 26-20 loss to Troy.

“China Spring is good and well coached,” Speer said. “You see them out there and how much they compete. They do well. In back-to-back years, they’ll play for the championship.”

The setback to Troy was especially difficult because turnovers paved the way to the outcome.

After Burnet scored thanks to Charles Edwards’ pass to Riley Howell inside the 20-yard line, the Bulldogs looked to take a commanding lead after getting an interception.

But Troy intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. After the conversation, the Trojans led 7-6.

From there, the contest was a shootout.

Edwards found Cason O’Hair for a touchdown and Howell got the conversion for a 13-7 lead.

The Trojans looked to answer immediately, going deep to get inside the Burnet five-yard line then scoring to knot the game at 13-13.

Burnet regained the lead when Edwards hit Howell again for the 20-13 advantage.

But Troy had time for one more play before the intermission and completed a 45-yard bomb to tie the game at 20-20.

The Trojans caught two interceptions and took the lead to seal up the win in the second half.

“We felt like we were sluggish at times,” Speer said. “We want to bring energy. All that we do here translates into real football.”

He believes that even the miscues will benefit the Bulldogs, especially Edwards and Jorpeland, who are battling to be the starting quarterback in 2025.

“We have to be better decision makers on offense,” he said. “It’s a learning process.”

Speer said he saw some fantastic play from athletes during each game throughout the tournament. He noted several teams had to come through in the clutch and most of the contests were highly competitive.

Fans sitting on both the home and visitor sides weren’t shy about encouraging their teams. Overall, it was a great way to spend a Saturday morning, the director said.

“It’s been great,” he said. “I’ve been pleased with the turnout. Everybody is really competitive. It’s a good tournament. There are definitely no gimmes. I don’t think anybody got blown out. I think it says a lot about us. It’s the same guys we had last year.”

CAPTION: Rhyder Corbell leaps high to snatch this ball out of thin air. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography