Burnet football begins official practices next week
CAPTION: Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tyler Fambrough talks to the quarterbacks attending the Bulldogs’ camp July 27-29. Staff photos by Jennifer Fierro
The Burnet High School football program will begin official practices Monday, Aug. 3.
The freshman report at 6 a.m. and the junior varsity and varsity take the field at 2:30 p.m. all at Bulldog Field.
“The biggest thing is get here and be excited,” head coach Ben Speer said. “What I want to see is an excitement really. The way they’ve come together and they’ve worked and learned – I want to see them working hard and enjoy being around each other.”
Speer smiled when asked if he’s ready to declare his starters now.
“I always tell them you can’t earn a starting job in the summer, but you can definitely lose one and lose the opportunity (by not attending summer activities),” he said.
In-depth evaluations begin on day one, he added, pointing out the veterans are relied on set the example – in attitude, by appointing themselves to be at the front of drills, and how they interact with their teammates and coaches.
“We just see who will jump in and who’s going to have the confidence to jump in,” the coach said. “We have to develop that. We have some good kids in spots, but they’re going to be playing both ways. We have to find ways to develop on both sides of the ball.”
One anticipated battle will be at quarterback between juniors Cooper Evans and Fisher Powell. Powell started several games in 2025 as a sophomore. The two have been hard at work with quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Tyler Fambrough. Fambrough has listed the traits of the next starting quarterback that goes beyond what the athlete can do on the field.
The coordinator has done plenty to help his pupils learn the scheme quickly by conducting a quarterback school, attending each day of 7 on 7, strength and conditioning and skills work.
Now comes the part where one player must separate from his teammates and win the job. And in fairness to the quarterbacks, most position coaches feel the same about their athletes. They want jobs to be won, not coach appointed.
While the coaches have been around the players throughout the summer in strength and conditioning, skills work and in two months of 7 on 7, the month of August offers the ability to spend more time each day being coached and corrected. During the summer, the University Interscholastic League limits athletes and coaches to one hour a day of skills work. But they’ll get much more practice time in August.
Speer has many new faces on the staff and some familiar ones are taking on new roles this season. Still, he indicated the staff has a lot of chemistry.
“First of all, you have to have a loyal staff,” he said. “Everybody’s got to be onboard with what we’re doing, what we want to do, in the direction we’re heading. You can be in the boat but still not be rowing. These guys are in the boat, they’re rowing, and it’s important for me to get them in the right spots and the right seat. What I’ve enjoyed so much this summer is just the eagerness, the excitement that these guys have about the season and wanting to meet and wanting to prepare ahead of time. There’s just exciting
things for us.”
CAPTION: Bronson Wire is in his first season as the Bulldogs’ offensive line coach.
