Burnet football announces 2026 opponents
CAPTION: Burnet head coach Ben Speer is doing all he can to have a few more moments like this one when the Bulldogs won a bi-district title by beating Andrews 21-7 Nov. 14. It was the first time Burnet won a playoff game since the 2023 season. Photo by Martelle Luedecke/Luedecke Photography
Now that the Burnet High School football team knows the district and region the Bulldogs are playing in during the 2026 and 2027 seasons, head coach Ben Speer has finalized the order of opponents.
The University Interscholastic League announced realignment at 9 a.m. Feb. 2. In looking at Class 4A Division I football, Burnet remains in the same district with Marble Falls, Lampasas and Stephenville.
But the four along with Jarrell and China Spring District are now in District 12-4A Division I, which is in Region III. China Spring was in District 12-4A Division II and Jarrell was in District 13-4A Division II the last two years.
“I think that was the shock that nobody really had on their bingo card this week,” Burnet head coach Ben Speer said of moving to the Houston region. “The district itself was something we kind of saw that probably could play out like that. It was kind of surprising that they took Stephenville all the way to Region III.”
The Yellowjackets won the 2025 Class 4A Division I state title and China Spring won state titles in 2021 and 2022.
“Just looking at it, there’s Stephenville and there’s kind of everybody else,” Speer said. “Lampasas has definitely more experience playoff wise and stuff like that. China Spring won a state championship but it’s been since 2022 and lots of changes there. I think them, us, Lampasas and Jarrell are pretty evenly matched. And then you throw in Marble Falls, and I believe they could beat any one of us on any given Friday.”
Burnet begins district play with road trips to China Spring and Marble Falls then welcomes Lampasas in the district home opener before going to Stephenville and ending the regular season against Jarrell at home. Dates and times are still being determined.
Speer believes it’s better to face the best in the region in your district first. Because the four teams that advance to the postseason will be well prepared for the challenges of a one-and-done playoff system.
“Last year we felt like we were in the best district in the state, definitely in the region,” Speer said. “So it’s nice when you don’t have to face them (in the playoffs) right off the bat. And if you see them again, that means you’re doing some good things.”
To help the Bulldogs prepare for district, Speer assembled a challenging non-district schedule.
The Bulldogs open the season against Llano, the Class 3A Division I Region IV champion, then face Taylor, Lago Vista, Blanco and Gatesville all in non-district play with dates, sites and times still to be determined.
Speer said he believes Highland Lakes football fans will be happy to see the friendly rivalry with Llano start back up.
“We’re excited to get them back on the schedule and it just seems like common sense,” he said. “They’re right down the road from us and they’re a good team, and we’ve had some good games with them in the past. So we’re bringing back that one. So that’s always good I think for both towns anyway, and it’s a short drive and they’re always competitive with us.”
The last time the Bulldogs played Taylor was in the final week of the regular season in 2023, a Burnet win that ensured a share of the district crown and led to a bi-district title.
“I was excited when we got that one back on the schedule,” Speer said. “We talked to them several times last year. We’ve always had close games with them. And it was an easy fit for both of us.”
Lago Vista was added after Fredericksburg coaches said they couldn’t honor the week four commitment with Burnet because the Billies are one of eight members of District 13-4A Division I.
Speer views Blanco as an opportunity to help prepare the Bulldogs for Jarrell since both opponents operate the slot-T offense.
“We called (head coach Kent) Walker to see if he was interested,” he said. “He goes, ‘Which week do you need – two or four?’ I’m like, ‘Well, four.’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, we can do that.’ That’ll be good for us to see some slot T. And he does a good job with his guys.”
Burnet is continuing its pre-district series with Gatesville. The Bulldogs won 23-17 in 2024 and lost 15-9 in 2025.
2026 Burnet schedule (Dates, times and some sites still to be determined)
Llano
Taylor
Lago Vista
Blanco
Gatesville
at China Spring
at Marble Falls
Lampasas
at Stephenville
Jarrell
