Burnet football faces tough season-opening foe in Fredericksburg

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

BURNET — Even though the Burnet High School football team started the 2012 season on a positive with a 26-21 win against Fredericksburg, Kurt Jones recalls a Billies team intent on ruining his debut as the Bulldogs’ new head coach.

Burnet rolled to a 20-0 first-half lead before Billies quarterback Kyle Grona began Fredericksburg’s comeback in the second half.Grona threw three touchdown passes of 55, 56 and 61 yards to help Fredericksburg get back into the contest. And with 93 seconds left in the game, the Billies had the ball and a chance for the winning score. But, on a Billies’ pass, Burnet defensive back Blayne Parisher fought Fredericksburg’s Joaquin Rivera for the ball in the air and continued to wrestle for it as the two fell to the ground. In the end, Parisher won, and Burnet preserved the victory.

A year later, Fredericksburg is looking to win the 2013 season-opener at home when the Billies welcome the Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 to Battlin’ Billie Stadium, 1107 Texas 16 South in Fredericksburg.

“(Fredericksburg has) been through some hard times during the past three or four years, but (head coach) Lance Moffet and his staff over there have done a great job getting that program to take another step each year,” Jones said. “And, last year, I felt like they were a little bit better, and when you watch them on film right now, it looks like they’ve turned another corner. So they’re going to be a tough opponent.”[box]GAMETIME
Burnet Bulldogs at Fredericksburg Battlin’ Billies
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30
WHERE: Battlin’ Billie Stadium, 1107 Texas 16 South in Fredericksburg
LISTEN: KBEYFM.com or KBEY 102.9 FM with pre-game show at 7 p.m. and live broadcast following[/box]

Grona, who started as a sophomore, returns along with Billies defensive back Brayden Beard, running back Paco Martinez and defensive end Clayton Braden.

Grona finished last season with 79 rushes for 382 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 69 of 140 passes for 962 yards and five touchdowns.

Martinez had 152 carries for 775 yards and eight touchdowns.

“You can watch them on film, and you can see their technique continues to get better, whether it’s offensively or defensively,” Jones said. “They have some good athletes. Grona is a good athlete and competitor. So is their leader on defense, their safety Brayden Beard, (he) is a competitor and a good athlete. So they’re doing some good things with those kids over there.”

The Bulldogs also should be better in 2013 with the experienced players who are returning: seniors Derek Kiser at quarterback (2,805 passing yards and 22 touchdowns), Trenton Hafley at running back (1,551 yards and 12 touchdowns), Parisher at receiver and defensive back and Austin Huff as the kicker and the punter.

Junior linebacker Kody Hall recorded 120 tackles last season.

The Bulldogs have been strong on both sides of the ball in scrimmages against Somerset and Wimberley. Burnet outscored Somerset 6-2 and Wimberley 4-1.

Jones said the starters on both sides of the ball have faced each other quite a bit during the past four weeks.

“I’m happy with progress and where we’re at, probably, right now at this time of year with both groups, not that we’re where we need to be. But, right now, I feel good about both groups,” he said. “I hope it’s a tug-of-war all year as to which group I feel best about. I think we have the opportunity to be really good on both sides of the ball.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com