Burnet football players shine at HCCA all-star game

CAPTION: Burnet linebacker Josiah Coronado (22) is congratulated for recovering a fumble by Marble Falls cornerback Joaquin Aguilar (left) and Llano defensive back Gavin Hays (19). Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

Several Burnet High School seniors made their community proud thanks to their performances during the second annual Hill Country Coaches Association All-Star Football game May 9 at Wimberley.

These seniors — running back and linebacker Josiah Coronado, linebacker Adler Goehring, tackle Shane Ikonen, defensive end Riley Howell and receiver and linebacker Trevin Park — made plays and gave their North team opportunities to extend offensive drives to put points on the scoreboard and end South offensive possessions.

Though the South won 30-14, the Bulldogs did their part to keep the score close, particularly Coronado and Howell, who each recovered fumbles in the first half to set up the North in South territory.

The Bulldogs were instrumental in doing the things that lead to big plays – Ikonen opening holes at the line of scrimmage for runners, Coronado refusing to go down on a first hit and dragging tacklers for positive gains, Park setting blocks in the flat to spring runners lose for big gains, Howell running past the offensive tackle to get to the ball carrier, and Goehring locking in on the ball and getting to it quickly.

The South scored a couple of field goals to build a 6-0 lead then added a touchdown for a 13-0 advantage midway through the second period.

During the final minutes, Coronado and Howell each recovered fumbles though the offense suffered turnovers to give the ball back to the South.

The defense didn’t allow another score until the final 3 minutes and 33 seconds of the third quarter when the South scored on a two-yard run then added another field goal early in the fourth for a 23-6 lead. After recovering a fumble and later scoring, the South led 30-6.

The North’s offense returned to the field determined to answer. The Bulldogs took center stage with Ikonen blocking and opening holes, Coronado running through defenders and Park setting blocks for pathways for big gains. The result was another North touchdown. Then the North faked the extra point and scored on a two-point run to trim the deficit to 30-14.

A penalty on the onside kick allowed the South to recover and run out the clock.

But the Bulldogs showed their experience and talent, especially in reading what was happening on the field to put themselves in position to get positive results, just like Burnet head coach Ben Speer and his staff taught them.

“My favorite part was all the different teams coming together, celebrating on the sidelines,” Goehring said. “It’s different because instead of playing against these guys, you’re flying with them, and it’s a whole different attitude. Before, we saw them as that opposition, but now we’re getting to know each other. And then obviously the plays I made.”

Ikonen summed up the experience, especially getting to play with his Burnet teammates again.

“Pretty fun,” he said. “It’s pretty fun playing in the football game. It was a pretty fun deal.”

Howell was equally enthusiastic.

“It was a blast,” he said. “I felt the whole day was a blast.”

His favorite play was “pancaking the quarterback” and getting the fumble recovery that fired up his teammates.

“And then just hanging out with everybody one last time,” he said.

He credited defensive coordinator Michael McLeod for installing a scheme that allowed the players to beam.

“Keep it simple,” he said. “We only had four days of practice. We couldn’t learn too much, so we just planned on keeping it simple and being more dominant.”

CAPTION: Burnet defensive end Riley Howell (0) bends to scoop the ball toward himself in recovering a fumble for the North. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro