Burnet on the road to play ranked Abilene Wylie
Burnet High School senior linebacker Mason Campbell (44) hits Marble Falls junior running back Dalton Mayberry during the Bulldogs’ 30-15 victory against the Mustangs on Aug. 28. Burnet travels to Abilene Wylie on Sept. 24. Photo by Diana Cox
JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER
BURNET — The Burnet High School football team will take its longest road trip of the regular season Sept. 4.
The Bulldogs (1-0) travel to play Abilene Wylie. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Wylie’s Bulldog Stadium, 4502 Antilley Road in Abilene. Listen to the contest starting with a 7 p.m. pregame show on 106.5 FM powered by KBEY or at KBEYFM.com.
Both teams are ranked in the top 15 in Class 4A in most polls. Burnet head coach Kurt Jones said Wylie has been consistently ranked, noting a large reason is because of its head coach, Hugh Sandifer.
“That’s territory we’ve kind of fought to try to get into, and maybe we’re on the cusp of that,” he said. “But it’ll be a tremendous challenge to go on that long road trip to their place, and we’re going to have to play really well to come away with a victory.”
Wylie (0-1) lost 20-10 to Argyle, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, after leading 10-7 at the half. Argyle’s main adjustment was better defending Wylie’s screen passes, which led to five sacks in the second half.
Wylie will line up in the power I formation that propels its run game led by quarterback Tyler Ward. Ward had 18 rushes for 79 yards and completed seven passes for 105 yards during the loss to Argyle. Tailback Jared Asbill had 10 carries for 64 yards and four catches for 53 yards. Kicker Caleb Holt connected on 22- and 45-yard field goals.
“They’re pretty much going to go do what they do,” Jones said. “There’s something to be said for that. They feel like they’re good at it, they feel like if they go execute it, it really doesn’t matter too much if you know what’s coming.”
The Wylie defense is led by linebackers Josiah Light and Riley Hedge, safety Blake Johnston and cornerback Lane Bourland.
“Really, really tough defense that’s fast, very well-coached,” Jones said. “They don’t make a lot of mistakes in their alignment or assignments. When you do that, it allows you to play fast on defense. Their kids are big and physical and fast, and they’re going to get after us. We’re going to have to be pretty precise with our execution to make some things happen.”
Jones noted his players have been on long road trips before, including three games in Waco last season. Burnet went 3-1 in those contests. He anticipates stopping buses halfway to Abilene to allow the players to stretch their legs.
“I feel like our kids understand how to travel and stay focused,” he said. “Hopefully, we’re mature enough to handle a trip like that. We can be focused. And when it’s game time, we can go.”
jfierro@thepicayune.com