Burnet, Llano football teams shake off rust in Day 1 of 7-on-7
Llano's Wyatt Casey is one of two Yellow Jackets who are vying to become the starting quarterback in 2014.
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — Burnet 1 began the Burnet 7-on-7 League with a 3-0 record May 5.
But coaches were interested in the athletes’ play more than the scores, especially at the quarterback position.
“Our guys, especially our older guys, know what to do,” Bulldogs head football coach Kurt Jones said. “A lot of it is timing right now and having the chance to shake some of the rust out. Most of our kids understand our offense and defense.”
Quarterbacks Taylor Barksdale, a senior, and Austin Moore, a junior, led two different units during the three contests. Barksdale played with Burnet 1, which featured many returning varsity lettermen. Moore was with Burnet 2, which had several projected first-year varsity athletes.
“Taylor had a chance to play with our older guys,” Jones said. “We knew things would work out and go smoother for him on a night like this. Both are highly competitive kids.”
The players are helping each other with their spacing and technique, something coaches like seeing because it helps develop rapport and leadership.
“It’s hugely important,” Jones said. “You all have to be on the same page. If one guy is a little bit off, it can affect the whole bunch.
The Bulldogs aren’t the only ones looking at a new quarterback.
Llano was led by junior Wyatt Casey. Yellow Jackets head coach Craig Slaughter said his players gave great effort but looked like it was the first time they’ve played against live competition in awhile.
Jones summed up the thoughts of most of the coaches on the first night of the May league.
“It’s just good to get out here and start repping stuff again,” he said.
The league resumes May 14 at 6 p.m., which is a change on the schedule to accommodate the athletic awards ceremonies for Burnet and Llano high schools. The ceremonies are May 12.
Llano’s event is 7 p.m. at the high school auditorium, 2509 Texas 16 South in Llano.
Burnet will honor its athletes at 6 p.m. at the high school auditorium, 1000 The Green Mile in Burnet.
Week 3 games will be played May 19, while the last day is May 26. Contests begin at 6 p.m.
All games are played at the Burnet High School practice fields, 1000 The Green Mile.
jfierro@thepicayune.com
BURNET 1 VS. BURNET 2: B1 – 30-yard pass to Cody Jones from Taylor Barksdale, 7-0; B2 – 2-yard pass to Sheppard from Moore (key play: 30-yard pass to Winn), 7-7; B2 – 45-yard interception for a touchdown by Chafin, 14-7; B1 – 1-yard run by Jones, 14-13; B1 – 30-yard pass to Jones, 21-14 (final)
BURNET 1 VS. LLANO: B1 – 45-yard pass to Foster, 7-0; B1 – 20-yard pass to Jones, 14-0; B1 – 15-yard pass to Jones, 20-0; B1 – 15-yard pass to Joel Johnson, 26-0; B1 – 1-yard pass to Jones, 33-0; B1 – 45-yard pass to Joel Johnson, 40-0 (final)
BURNET 1 VS. LAMPASAS: B1 – 17-yard pass Jones, 7-0; Lampasas — touchdown (2-point pass fails), 7-6; B1 – 45-yard pass to Walker, 13-6; Lampasas — touchdown (2-point pass fails), 14-13; B1 – 21-yard pass to Foster, 19-14 (final)