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12-09-2003, 12:49 PM
Burnet's defense rises to the occasion
Overlooked defenders shined in last weekend's win over Jasper
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By Matthew Obernauer and Rick Cantu
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, December 9, 2003
BURNET -- While Burnet's offense provided some fireworks in the final minutes of Burnet's 21-14 victory over Jasper in the state semifinals, the unheralded stars of the game came from the Bulldogs' defense and special teams.
For much of the game, Burnet's offense was either stalled or on the sidelines, due to Jasper's ball-control game plan. As a result, with less than six minutes left in the game, Burnet's high-powered attack had scored just seven points and trailed for the first time all season.
But the Burnet defense, which has surrendered just 11.3 points a game while toiling in relative obscurity, held Jasper to just two touchdowns and shut it down in the fourth quarter, getting a crucial three-and-out and an interception that left enough time for two scoring drives to win the game.
"You always need the `D,' " linebacker Ty Kuhn said after the game. "The offense put the points on the board, but we held (Jasper) so that they had a chance to make a comeback."
After the tying score, one of Burnet's smallest players made one of the biggest game-changing plays. Brodie Reynolds, a 160-pound senior used primarily on kickoff coverage, laid out a Jasper kick returner with a vicious hit in the open field just after he had made a lateral. While the hit did not jar the ball loose, Coach Bob Shipley said, "When he blew that guy up, it gave our guys a kind of `shark-in-the-water' mentality." Ben Rountree caused a fumble later on the same play, and it was recovered by Clay Jetton, throwing the game's momentum back to the Burnet side.
Burnet (14-0), ranked No. 1 in the state, will play Gainesville (14-0) Saturday in the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Texas Stadium.
Leander
Player of the week
Stephen McGee, Burnet -- Playing in his future home stadium of Kyle Field, McGee led the top-ranked Bulldogs to a close 21-14 win over Jasper in the Class 3A Division I state semifinals, going 15 of 20 for 193 yards and a touchdown, and adding a touchdown run.
His 5-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Shipley with 17 seconds left was the game-winner.
Overlooked defenders shined in last weekend's win over Jasper
ADVERTISEMENT
By Matthew Obernauer and Rick Cantu
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, December 9, 2003
BURNET -- While Burnet's offense provided some fireworks in the final minutes of Burnet's 21-14 victory over Jasper in the state semifinals, the unheralded stars of the game came from the Bulldogs' defense and special teams.
For much of the game, Burnet's offense was either stalled or on the sidelines, due to Jasper's ball-control game plan. As a result, with less than six minutes left in the game, Burnet's high-powered attack had scored just seven points and trailed for the first time all season.
But the Burnet defense, which has surrendered just 11.3 points a game while toiling in relative obscurity, held Jasper to just two touchdowns and shut it down in the fourth quarter, getting a crucial three-and-out and an interception that left enough time for two scoring drives to win the game.
"You always need the `D,' " linebacker Ty Kuhn said after the game. "The offense put the points on the board, but we held (Jasper) so that they had a chance to make a comeback."
After the tying score, one of Burnet's smallest players made one of the biggest game-changing plays. Brodie Reynolds, a 160-pound senior used primarily on kickoff coverage, laid out a Jasper kick returner with a vicious hit in the open field just after he had made a lateral. While the hit did not jar the ball loose, Coach Bob Shipley said, "When he blew that guy up, it gave our guys a kind of `shark-in-the-water' mentality." Ben Rountree caused a fumble later on the same play, and it was recovered by Clay Jetton, throwing the game's momentum back to the Burnet side.
Burnet (14-0), ranked No. 1 in the state, will play Gainesville (14-0) Saturday in the Class 3A Division I state championship game at Texas Stadium.
Leander
Player of the week
Stephen McGee, Burnet -- Playing in his future home stadium of Kyle Field, McGee led the top-ranked Bulldogs to a close 21-14 win over Jasper in the Class 3A Division I state semifinals, going 15 of 20 for 193 yards and a touchdown, and adding a touchdown run.
His 5-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Shipley with 17 seconds left was the game-winner.