Burnet football performs well against Canyon Lake

CAPTION: Senior receiver Cohen Jorpeland runs away from the Canyon Lake secondary as he looks to score. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography

The Burnet High School football team gave fans plenty to cheer for during its scrimmage against Fischer Canyon Lake Friday, Aug. 15.

“Guys were very excited and focused,” head coach Ben Speer said. “It was good to see people flying around and beating someone other than yourselves.”

Though neither team scored during the live portion of the scrimmage, the Bulldogs recovered a fumble.

The Bulldogs showed the chemistry they have been working on with quarterbacks Charles Edwards, a senior, and Bryan Johnson and Lyndon Harycki, who are both juniors.

“Our ability to make some big plays all over the field,” Speer said in response to what dazzled him offensively. “We had explosive plays. Our quarterbacks were running the ball – all three did. That’s going to be fun putting this group out there.”

The coach pointed out the offensive line, which has eight Bulldogs vying for starting jobs, left positive impressions on the staff.

“I was really impressed with our ability to block on the edge and attack,” Speer said. “We’re still fitting game pieces around them. We have to clean some things up around the line of scrimmage. Our depth is really exciting.”

He was equally pleased with the passing game, especially the receivers and senior tight ends Riley Howell and Demetrius Taliaferro, who were difficult to defend.

“Riley broke about 10 tackles – that’s unbelievable,” Speer said, adding that the better the two get at blocking, the more explosive, productive and dangerous the offense becomes. “That’s exciting.”

He was equally pleased with the Bulldogs defense, pointing out the unit continues to follow one of the non-negotiable rules: endless pursuit of the football. He emphasized the Bulldogs know that even if they think they can’t make the play, they must get after the ball carrier and not quit until whistles blow.

“They’re very aggressive, tough and flying around to the ball,” he said. “The first guy may not get him, but there’s two more coming. We take great pride in endless pursuit of the ball. That was good to see from that bunch. They started from the first snap.”

Senior receiver and defensive back Matthew Williams “had an unbelievable one-handed catch,” Speer said.

“He’s a dynamic athlete on both sides of the ball,” he said. “Defensively, he stuck a couple of receivers and running backs. He’s a physical dude.”

As part of the grading process, coaches give each Bulldog a grade on effort as they’re reviewing game footage. Speer indicated the Bulldogs were getting high marks in that category.

“The film is the mirror,” he said.

Speer complimented every player in the program, pointing out he believes the scrimmage revealed plenty that will help the program as it continues preparations for the season opener at Lago Vista at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29.

But first, the Bulldogs travel to scrimmage Waco Robinson Thursday, Aug. 21, with the subvarsities playing at 5 p.m. and the varsity at 6:30 p.m.

“I thought all three teams played well,” Speer said. “All three teams were moving fast and getting there in a hurry.”

CAPTION: Senior quarterback Charles Edwards hands the ball to senior running back Peyton Lopez during the scrimmage against Fischer Canyon Lake Aug. 15. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography