Bulldogs look to end season with win against rival
BURNET — For the second time in seven years, the Burnet High School football team’s season will end in the last game of the regular season.
But don’t tell the Bulldogs (4-5, 1-3) they don’t have anything to play for. To head coach Doyle Walker, his squad wants to end the regular season on a positive note in beating one of its top rivals, Liberty Hill. The game is 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Panther Stadium, 13125 Texas 29 in Liberty Hill.
“It would be huge for our program, it really would,” Walker said. “I think it would be like striking a match for some of them and getting them going, getting them ready for next year.”
The Panthers (6-3, 3-1), meanwhile, have already secured second in District 25-3A after losing to Lampasas 21-17 when the Badgers scored on the final drive of the contest.
Now Liberty Hill is looking for momentum and keeping its devastating Slot-T rushing attack in tip-top shape.
The Panthers feature Jonathon Johnston (134-1,212-8), the division’s leading runner. Brandon Corn (104-654-4) ranks fifth in the district.
Liberty Hill’s defense helped to give the program a five-game winning streak and only allowed 123 points all season.
“They are very aggressive,” Walker said. “They line up and they come get you. They’re going to make you throw the ball and get rid of it quick. If not, you’re going to wind up on your backside.”
The Bulldogs finally won a home game Oct. 28 for the first time this season in beating Llano 49-0.
And though Liberty Hill is entering the contest with a loss, Walker believes that will fire up the Panthers.
“They’re going to be angry because they got beat,” he said. “They’re going to try to take it out on the Bulldogs.”
During the past decade, the two programs have fought for the district crown. The Bulldogs played for state titles in 2002 and 2003, while the Panthers won state championships in 2006 and 2007 when Burnet was in Class 4A.
Therefore, there’s a friendly rivalry between the two programs, much like the one Burnet enjoys with Llano, Lampasas and Marble Falls.
The end of the season means Walker must say goodbye to several seniors.
“The senior class is always the nucleus of your football team,” he said. “Because of that, you have some seniors who have worked their tails off ever since seventh grade. They’re the leaders of the team. I have high praise for those kids, and I appreciate the hard work they turned in.”