Big turnout for Burnet football on first day of fall camp
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — One of the most encouraging parts of the Burnet High School football team’s fall training camp was a number. A big one.
To be exact, 121 players turned up for the first day of camp Aug. 4.
“That’s a good number for us,” head coach Kurt Jones said. “That’s probably the best number we’ve been at in the last five years. I’m glad they’re out here. Hopefully, they’re excited to play football in Burnet.”
After three practices, two units stood out for the coach: the secondary and the offensive line.
The Bulldogs return four starters on the offensive line: twins Christian and Christopher Saldivar, Jared McHazlett and Jarrett Thornley. They also have three returning defensive backs: safeties Jake McElroy and Caleb Bell and cornerback Korey Campbell.
“Our secondary is way ahead of where they have been,” Jones said. “The same can be said of our offensive line. It’s a little bit of experience and being in the same system.”
The experience of the secondary, he said, helps the front seven in many ways. The biggest is in trust and rapport in that each athlete knows his teammates can make a play and cover an error.
“You need to have a good pass rush and defense behind you,” the coach said.
The quarterback battle continues between junior Austin Moore and senior Taylor Barksdale. Still, having an experienced offensive line does plenty for a quarterback, Jones said.
“I think those guys have confidence in who’s in front of them and protecting them and making calls. That little bit of extra confidence you get is a good thing.”
Jones said coaches “feel good about our skill-position players and depth on both sides” of the ball.
Returning starting receivers Cody Jones, Brock Foster and Darius Johnson are playing well, he said.
jfierro@thepicayune.com