Bulldogs have matured since 2010 loss to Giddings, coach says

BURNET — While no team likes to lose, Burnet High School head football coach Doyle Walker said last year’s 25-14 setback to Giddings gave the Bulldogs a wake-up call that set off an eight-game winning streak.

“I felt our kids grew up a lot in that ball game last year,” he said. “And we had some inexperience going into that game just like we do this year. The kids grew up in the second half of that ball game and came back out and scored a couple of times and had an opportunity to score toward the end. I felt like that was very beneficial for the Bulldogs.”

This year’s Buffaloes team isn’t the same one that was a preseason state championship favorite a year ago. Gone is coach Derrick Fitzhenry, who decided to accept a job at Longview Pine Tree. But his son, senior Spencer Fitzhenry, decided to stay at Giddings. He now will line up at running back instead of at quarterback.

The Buffaloes will use more spread formations offensively and a 3-3 stack look on defense designed to control the gaps and enhance blitzes.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will be led by senior quarterback Weston Cozby, already tabbed as District 25-3A’s top passer after throwing for more than 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Walker said Cozby has matured a great deal since last season and understands he can’t take the same number of sacks and losses he did in 2010.

Meanwhile, senior athlete Zach Maldonado will be placed at various positions on the field in the hopes of having pathways to the end zone and allow him to utilize his speed and good hands.

The game is 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Bulldog Field, 1000 The Green Mile.

jfierro@thepicayune.com