After publishing today’s newsletter, The Burleson Buzz will be taking a temporary hiatus as publisher Cody O’Brien prepares for the birth of his daughter and adapts to the changes that will bring.

The Burleson Buzz will pause recurring paid subscriptions during this time.

The Buzz in Burleson this week:

• 🎙️Local educator and podcast host launches community internet-radio station

• 🚔Burleson PD headquarters-expansion changes and increased cost presented to City Council

• 🏫Holy Cross breaks ground on fifth through 12th-grade campus

• 🏈Geller no longer coaching Centennial, named Burleson ISD assistant athletic director

Local educator and podcast host launches community internet-radio station

Cody O’Brien

It’s time for the community of Burleson and the surrounding area to have a trusted source of information and news.

That’s why Brad Allard, a retired Burleson ISD teacher and Hill College professor and host of the podcast “Mr. Allard’s Neighborhood,” launched an independent internet-radio station “Community Radio TX” in January.

“We don’t have a newspaper, we don’t have an over-the-air radio station,” Allard said. “A lot of people say it’s difficult to advertise, market and find out what’s going on because we don’t have that source of local information. They get most of their news about what goes on in this area from Facebook, which is sometimes accurate and sometimes not.”

Read more about Community Radio TX

Burleson PD headquarters-expansion changes and increased cost presented to City Council

Brandon D. Crisp

BURLESON – The Burleson City Council discussed changes to the Burleson Police Department headquarters expansion at its meeting Monday at City Hall.

City council opted to vote on approving a final plan on March 25 after a report showing major updates—including the cost increasing to $44 million from the original $41.5 million approved in October 2023—on the design development and renderings and schematics of what the new expansion will entail was given to city council at the meeting Monday.

Construction is expected to begin in September after city council approves a new plan at the March 25 meeting.

Read more about BPD HQ-expansion updates

Holy Cross breaks ground on fifth through 12th-grade campus

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON — Holy Cross Christian Academy announced breaking ground on its fifth through 12th-grade campus down the road from its current facility Tuesday.

The single-story, 13,240-square-foot facility—designed to “provide an advanced learning environment” for fifth through 12th-grade students—is expected to be ready by December, HCCA stated in an email Tuesday.

HCCA will hold a groundbreaking ceremony open to the HCCA community, supporters and media February 25 at the new campus’s site less than a mile away from the current facility at 1500 Tarver Road, HCCA stated in a press release Tuesday.

Phase-one of this nine-phase master project includes six classrooms, an art room, a science lab, a collaboration room, a multipurpose room and a storm shelter, HCCA stated in its press release.

Read more about Holy Cross's new campus

Geller no longer coaching Centennial, named Burleson ISD assistant athletic director

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON — Kyle Geller is no longer the Centennial High School head football coach and athletic director after accepting a new role with Burleson ISD.

Burleson ISD named Geller—Centennial’s head football coach since Centennial opened in 2010—its new assistant athletic director of athletic operations Friday.

In Burleson ISD’s announcement, Geller said it’s been an “honor and a privilege” to serve as Centennial’s head coach and athletic coordinator and thanks the players and coaches for making his time in the role all he “ever hoped for.”

Read more about Geller's new BISD role

A note from the publisher

Burleson, I just want to say I’m so thankful for all the support The Burleson Buzz has received recently as you readers have been sharing posts so much lately, and I’m sorry to have to take another break from publishing.

This is just temporary, and I appreciate your continued support as I try to navigate running what this business, which is very important to me, in my spare time while working a full-time job and raising my growing family with my wife, which is even more important to me.

—Cody

Refer a friend

Take advantage of a limited-time offer of 25% off an annual paid-subscription to be more informed in 2025.

Get 25% off for 1 year

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weather

❄️🌨️Snow and freezing rain expected

Snow showers and freezing rain are expected potentially mixed with sleet Thursday in Burleson, according to the National Weather Service.

Those conditions could begin overnight Wednesday and continue Friday with temperatures between 28 and 32 degrees Wednesday night through Friday morning.

The National Weather Service expects it to be cloudy but doesn’t expect any snow or freezing rain after Friday morning with the expected high near 38 degrees then reaching highs in the mid 40s Saturday through Tuesday.

News

🛒City Market to close permanently

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON — City Market will be closing permanently within the next two months, owner Kurt Jaeger said in a video on Facebook Monday.

Read full story

🚨Police make multiple New Year's DWI and possession arrests

Read arrest report

🏀No. 2 Summit remains undefeated in district with win over Burleson

Cody O’Brien

MANSFIELD — Ian Sedah scored 13 points as the No. 2-ranked Mansfield-Summit Jaguars beat the Burleson Elks 62-34 Tuesday at Summit High School to remain undefeated in District 8-5A.

Read full story

🏀Centennial wins back-and-forth game against Seguin behind 15 from Grandberry

Bill O’Brien

BURLESON — Fresh off winning the 2024-25 Byron Johnston Holiday Classic last week, the Centennial Spartans beat the Arlington-Seguin Cougars 63-57 in a hard-fought game Friday at Centennial High School.

Read full story

🚧Renfro lane closed for three weeks

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON — One of Northwest Renfro Street’s lanes will close Tuesday for three weeks due to construction, the City of Burleson announced Monday.

Read full article

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

The Burleson Buzz is offering a way for you to enjoy more local news—absolutely free.

Using your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community, you can earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the publication grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

Things to do around town

📖Attend book club. The Burleson Public Library is hosting a monthly “Magic Tree House Book Club” Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the library to discuss the Magic Tree House book series.

🤝Network at night. The Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its monthly “Network@Night” event Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Old Texas Brewing Co.

Upcoming local-government meetings

• The Burleson Park Board will meet Thursday at 6 p.m. at City Hall

  • Agenda

⚽Lady Spartans dominate BISD tournament, Lady Elks’ Tate breaks team goals record

The No. 5-ranked Centennial Lady Spartans (3-0) were undefeated and outscored their three opponents 17-0 in the Burleson ISD Ice Bowl tournament last week.

Senior Katie Bailey led Centennial with five goals in the tournament including four in Centennial’s tournament-opening 5-0 win over the Aledo Lady Bearcats (2-1) Thursday at Burleson ISD Stadium.

Senior goalkeeper Alyssa Yeoman earned shutouts in each of Centennial’s three wins.

Burleson Lady Elks (2-1) sophomore Logan Tate scored a team record-breaking five goals as Burleson beat the Dumas Lady Demons (0-4) 7-0 Thursday at Burleson ISD Stadium in the BISD Ice Bowl.

Neither of Burleson’s or Centennial’s varsity boys teams fared as well as their respective girls’ teams with the Spartans going 2-1 and the Elks going 0-3 in the Ice Bowl.

Burleson and Centennial are playing in tournaments Thursday through Saturday.

🏀Robinson breaks three-point record as Centennial routes Everman

Centennial Spartans sophomore guard Levi Robinson made a program record-breaking eight three-pointers as Centennial (3-1 in district, 20-5 overall) beat the Everman Bulldogs (0-4, 6-15) 82-42 Tuesday at Centennial High School.

🏀Lady Spartans beat Seguin, Lady Elks fall to Cleburne ahead of “Battle of The Hoops”

The Centennial Lady Spartans (2-3 in district, 11-13 overall) played the Everman Lady Bulldogs (2-3, 10-9) Tuesday at Centennial High School after beating the Arlington-Seguin Lady Cougars (0-5, 6-12) 58-37 Friday at Centennial.

The Burleson Lady Elks (1-4, 7-16) played the No. 10-ranked Mansfield-Summit Lady Jaguars (5-0, 17-4) Tuesday at Summit High School after falling 47-25 to the Cleburne Lady Yellow Jackets (3-2, 15-10) Friday at Burleson High School.

Centennial will face the Joshua Owls (3-2, 12-14) Friday at 6 p.m. at Joshua High School, and Burleson will face Seguin Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Burleson before Burleson and Centennial face off Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Centennial in the “Battle of The Hoops.”

Centennial beat Burleson 40-29 on December 10 at Burleson in the crosstown rivals’ first 2024-25 regular-season matchup.

Centennial’s and Burleson’s boys teams will follow the girls Tuesday at Centennial in the first of two 2024-25 regular-season matchups between the Centennial Spartans (2-1, 19-5) and the Burleson Elks (2-1, 17-8).

What do you think about this newsletter? Click below.
It’s great. It could be better.

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

Don’t forget to use your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community to earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

Golden Legacy Wellness is a Burleson family-owned CBD business with a passion for helping people. Since starting in 2019, their goal has been to help people improve their health and wellness by educating them on the benefits of CBD and THC.
Burleson Buzz readers can save 25% by using code “BUZZ25” at goldenlegacywellness.com.

Advertise in The Burleson Buzz

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weekly Weather

🥶It’s cold. It’s going to be mostly clear and mostly sunny but could be cloudy here and there with highs going from the low 60s to the low 40s and lows from the mid 20s to low 40s through Tuesday with a chance of showers and thunderstorms Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

News

🏀Centennial won the 2024-25 Byron Johnston Holiday Classic. Tristin Flowers won Tournament MVP with Keylan Jones and Jared Cox joining him on the All-Tournament Team.

Jump to story

🏀The Elks’ Evans and Harrison and the Lady Spartans’ Mohan made all-tournament teams. More in the Burleson Buzzer-Beater.

Jump to Buzzer-Beater

Be more informed in 2025 with 25% off a paid subscription

Take advantage of a limited-time offer of 25% off an annual paid-subscription to be more informed in 2025

Get 25% off for 1 year

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

The Burleson Buzz is offering a way for you to enjoy more of the newsletter—absolutely free.

Using your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community, you can earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

Things to do around town

⚽Watch Burleson and Centennial soccer. The Burleson Elks and Centennial Spartans and Lady Elks and Lady Spartans will compete in respective Burleson ISD Ice Bowl/Frozen Frenzy tournaments Thursday through Saturday at Burleson ISD Stadium.

🏀Watch Lady Spartan basketball. The Centennial Lady Spartans (1-3 in district, 10-13 overall) face the Arlington-Seguin Lady Cougars (0-4, 6-11) Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Centennial High School.

🏀Watch Lady Elk basketball. The Burleson Lady Elks (1-3 in district, 7-15 overall) face the Cleburne Lady Yellow Jackets (2-2, 14-10) Friday at 1 p.m. at Burleson High School.

🏀Watch Spartan basketball. The Centennial Spartans (1-1 in district, 18-5 overall) face the Arlington-Seguin Cougars (1-1, 11-10) Friday at 1 p.m. at Centennial High School.

🏀Watch Elk basketball. The Burleson Elks (1-1 in district, 16-8 overall) face the Cleburne Yellow Jackets (0-2, 5-15) Friday at 7 p.m. at Burleson High School.

🏀Watch Lady Elk basketball. The Burleson Lady Elks (1-3 in district, 7-15 overall) face the Mansfield-Summit Lady Jaguars (4-0, 16-3) Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Summit High School.

🏀Watch Lady Spartan basketball. The Centennial Lady Spartans (1-3 in district, 10-13 overall) face the Everman Lady Bulldogs (1-3, 9-9) Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Centennial High School.

🏀Watch Elk basketball. The Burleson Elks (1-1 in district, 16-8 overall) face the Mansfield-Summit Jaguars (2-0, 15-6) Tuesday at Summit High School.

🏀Watch Spartan basketball. The Centennial Spartans (1-1 in district, 18-5 overall) face the Everman Bulldogs (0-2, 5-13) Tuesday at Centennial High School.

Upcoming local-government meetings

• The Burleson City Council will meet Monday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

  • Meeting Agenda

🏀Centennial wins 2024-25 Byron Johnston Holiday Classic

Cody O’Brien

MIDLAND — Tristin Flowers won MVP of the 2024-25 Byron Johnston Holiday Classic tournament as the Centennial Spartans won the tournament last week in Midland.

Read full story

🏀Evans and Harrison make Wimberley Hoopfest All-Tournament Team

Burleson Elks senior forward B.J. Evans and junior forward Baron Harrison made the 2024-25 Wimberley ISD Hoopfest All-Tournament Team as Burleson (1-1 in district, 16-8 overall) took fourth place and went 2-2 in the tournament last week in Wimberley.

🏀Kyla Mohan makes Byron Johnston All-Tournament Team

Centennial Lady Spartans senior center Kyla Mohan made the Byron Johnston Holiday Classic All-Tournament Team as Centennial (1-3 in district, 10-13 overall) went 1-2 in the tournament last week in Midland.

What do you think about this newsletter? Click below.
It’s great. It could be better.

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

Don’t forget to use your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community to earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Thank you, Golden Legacy Wellness, for sponsoring The Burleson Buzz.

Golden Legacy Wellness is a Burleson family-owned CBD business with a passion for helping people. Since starting in 2019, their goal has been to help people improve their health and wellness by educating them on the benefits of CBD and THC.
Burleson Buzz readers can save 25% by using code “BUZZ25” at goldenlegacywellness.com.

Advertise in The Burleson Buzz

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weekly Weather

🌧️A wet Christmas. It’s going to be cloudy and likely rainy until Saturday with highs between the mid 60s and mid 70s and lows in the mid-to-high 40s through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

News

🥐Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe is developing its first North American manufacturing plant in Burleson. The baked-good manufacturer's plant on 30 acres in HighPoint Business Park will provide 450 full-time jobs.

Jump to story

🏀The Elks suffered their first district loss to #18-ranked Mansfield-Timberview. Timberview made 10 threes to Burleson's two and led the whole game as four of their players scored double digits.

🎁Merry Christmas! Enjoy 12 months of 25% off

To celebrate Christmas, The Buzz is offering an exclusive 25% discount on a year-long paid subscription to the newsletter!

That’s a whole year of instant access to in-depth coverage, game recaps, city-council updates and features on the people who make Burleson special—for just $37.50 (normally $50).

Get 25% off for 1 year

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

The Burleson Buzz is offering a way for you to enjoy more of the newsletter—absolutely free.

Using your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community, you can earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

No local-government meetings until after New Year’s Day

Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe to develop first North American manufacturing plant in Burleson

Brandon D. Crisp

BURLESON — Paris Baguette Bakery Cafe will develop its first North American manufacturing plant in Burleson, city staff announced at the Burleson City Council meeting December 9 at City Hall.

Read full story

Four score double digits as Timberview routes Burleson

Cody O’Brien and Bill O’Brien

MANSFIELD — Brian Waters, Jaden Godeau, Jonathan Williams and Damian Jackson each scored double digits as the Mansfield-Timberview Wolves beat the Burleson Elks 65-26 Friday at Timberview.

Read full story

What do you think about this newsletter? Click below.
It’s great. It could be better.

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

Don’t forget to use your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community to earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

Golden Legacy Wellness is a Burleson family-owned CBD business with a passion for helping people. Since starting in 2019, their goal has been to help people improve their health and wellness by educating them on the benefits of CBD and THC.
Burleson Buzz readers can save 25% by using code “BUZZ25” at goldenlegacywellness.com.

Advertise in The Burleson Buzz

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weekly Weather

☀️Sunny and a bit chilly. It’s going to be mostly sunny and clear with highs in the upper 50s and lower 60s and lows in from the lowers 30s all the way to the lower 50s, according to the National Weather Service.

News

🏀B.J. Evans scored 24 points in the Elks’ district-opener win. Burleson held Everman to four points in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

Jump to story

🏀“Microwave” Victor James scored 19 in the Spartans’ blowout district-opener victory. Centennial outscored Cleburne 35-15 in the second half to secure the win.

Jump to story

🎁Merry Christmas! Enjoy 12 months of 25% off

To celebrate Christmas, The Buzz is offering an exclusive 25% discount on a year-long paid subscription to the newsletter!

That’s a whole year of instant access to in-depth coverage, game recaps, city-council updates and features on the people who make Burleson special—for just $37.50 (normally $50).

Get 25% off for 1 year

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

The Burleson Buzz is offering a way for you to enjoy more of the newsletter—absolutely free.

Using your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community, you can earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

Things to do around town:

🎄Attend an Ugly Christmas Sweater Dance Party. Lost Oaks Winery is hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Dance Party Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the winery with DJ Double VV playing music and Hibachigo serving food.

📣(Parents) Take the night off, courtesy of Burleson High School cheerleaders. BHS Cheerleaders are hosting a parents night out Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at BHS for parents to drop off potty-trained kids for a movie night with pizza, juice, popcorn, a holiday craft and board games.

🎄(Teens) Make Christmas Crackers. The Burleson Public Library is hosting a “Teen Christmas Crackers” event Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon at the library to help teens create “Christmas Crackers,” table decorations that snap to reveal prizes.

🎁Wrap gifts at the library. The Burleson Public Library is hosting a gift-wrapping party Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the library with wrapping supplies and refreshments.

🎳🎅Bowl with Santa. Alley Cats Burleson is hosting a “Bowling with Santa” event Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Alley Cats with holiday festivities.

No local-government meetings until after Christmas

🏀Evans goes off for 24 to lead Burleson to win in district-opener

Bill O’Brien

BURLESON — B.J. Evans scored 24 points as the Burleson Elks beat the Everman Bulldogs 52-44 Tuesday at Burleson High School in each team’s district-opener.

Read full story

🏀“Microwave” James scores 19 to lead Centennial to district-opener win

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON — Victor James scored 19 points as the Centennial Spartans beat the Cleburne Yellow Jackets 62-36 Tuesday at Centennial High School in both school’s district-opener.

Read full story

What do you think about this newsletter? Click below.
It’s great. It could be better.

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

Don’t forget to use your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community to earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

Golden Legacy Wellness is a Burleson family-owned CBD business with a passion for helping people. Since starting in 2019, their goal has been to help people improve their health and wellness by educating them on the benefits of CBD and THC.
Burleson Buzz readers can save 25% by using code “BUZZ25” at goldenlegacywellness.com.

Advertise in The Burleson Buzz

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weekly Weather

🥶🌦️Chilly with some chance of rain but mostly sunny. It’s going to be mostly clear and sunny with highs in the low-to-mid 60s and lows from the upper 30s to low 50s with chances of showers Friday, Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

News

🏀The Lady Spartans beat the Lady Elks in the first BHS v. CHS basketball matchup of the season. Katelyn Seeton and Carly Reed led Centennial with nine points each, Burleson’s Kenzie Kimbrell scored nine of her own.

Jump to story

🏀The Elks continued their best start to a season under Coach Dees with a second-place finish at the Aransas Pass Tournament. Plus, more of the latest in Burleson sports in The Burleson Buzzer-Beater.

Jump to Buzzer-Beater

🎁Merry Christmas! Enjoy 12 months of 25% off

To celebrate Christmas, The Buzz is offering an exclusive 25% discount on a year-long paid subscription to the newsletter!

That’s a whole year of instant access to in-depth coverage, game recaps, city-council updates and features on the people who make Burleson special—for just $37.50 (normally $50).

Get 25% off for 1 year

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

The Burleson Buzz is offering a way for you to enjoy more of the newsletter—absolutely free.

Using your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community, you can earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

Things to do around town:

🎄Visit “Nights of Lights.” The city is hosting “Nights of Lights” Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Russell Farm with Christmas lights, hot beverages and music.

👩‍👧‍👦🎄(Moms) Enjoy a Christmas Fiesta. Lost Oaks Winery is hosting a “Momboss Christmas Fiesta” Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the winery with vendors, food and wine.

🎄Visit the Holiday Farmers Market. The Burleson Farmers Market will hold its “Holiday Farmers Market” Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza with strolling characters, horse-carriage rides, pictures with Santa, a holiday bounce house and over 80 vendors.

🎳🎄🕹️Celebrate the holidays at Alley Cats. Alley Cats Burleson is hosting a festive celebration Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Alley Cats with photos with Santa, cookies and hot cocoa, letters to Santa and a holiday craft.

🎳👮Bowl with the Burleson Police Department. Alley Cats is hosting a “Bowling with Backup,” event Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with discounted pizza and opportunities to win prizes for donations.

🧑‍🍳🎄Make a holiday charcuterie board. Sweet Kelz Kitchen and Catering is hosting a charcuterie workshop Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Lost Oaks Winery in the wine-tasting room.

Upcoming local-government meetings:

• The Burleson Park Board will meet Thursday at 6 p.m. at City Hall. (Agenda)

🏀Centennial beats Burleson in district opener

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON – Katelyn Seeton and Carly Reed each scored nine points as the Centennial Lady Spartans beat the crosstown-rival Burleson Lady Elks 40-29 Tuesday at Burleson High School in both teams’ district opener.

After finishing the first quarter tied 7-7, Centennial (1-0 in district, 9-8 overall) outscored Burleson (0-1, 4-11) 8-4 in the second quarter and 25-18 in the second half.

Read full story

🏀Elks place second at Aransas Pass Tournament

The Burleson Elks took second place at the Aransas Pass Tournament last week in Corpus Christi.

Burleson (13-5 overall) made it to the tournament-championship game and lost 57-36 to the Gregory-Portland Wildcats (14-4) Saturday.

Burleson won its first four games of the tournament, beating the Calallen Wildcats (8-4) 55-49 and the Calhoun Sandcrabs (0-7) 52-37 Thursday, the Aransas Pass Panthers (10-3) 48-42 and the Alice Coyotes (5-6) 54-51 Friday.

Burleson followed up its tournament success with a 38-32 win over the Ranchview Wolves (9-3) Tuesday at Ranchview High School.

Burleson is off to its best start during head Coach Anthony Dees’s tenure and will look to continue its success when it begins district play against the Everman Bulldogs (4-9) Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Burleson High School.

🏀Spartans win three of five at Heritage Tournament

The Centennial Spartans won three of five games last week at Midlothian-Heritage High School in the Heritage Tournament.

Centennial (12-4 overall) split its first two games of the tournament Thursday, beating the Ennis Lions (4-8) 61-45 before losing 64-60 to the Kennedale Wildcats (7-4).

Centennial then split its two Friday games, losing the opener to the Braswell Bengals (13-6) 45-39 before beating the Burkburnett Bulldogs (8-2) 65-57.

Centennial beat the Midlothian-Heritage Jaguars (7-9) 48-47 Saturday to close out the tournament.

Centennial continued its success after the tournament with a 52-47 win over the Grapevine Mustangs (7-9) Tuesday at Grapevine High School.

Centennial will look to stay hot when they face the Mansfield-Legacy Broncos (4-6) Saturday at 1 p.m. at Legacy High School before beginning district play against the Cleburne Yellow Jackets (3-10) Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Centennial.

What do you think about this newsletter? Click below.
It’s great. It could be better.

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

Don’t forget to use your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community to earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

Golden Legacy Wellness is a Burleson family-owned CBD business with a passion for helping people. Since starting in 2019, their goal has been to help people improve their health and wellness by educating them on the benefits of CBD and THC.
Burleson Buzz readers can save 25% by using code “BUZZ25” at goldenlegacywellness.com.

Advertise in The Burleson Buzz

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weekly Weather

🌧️Rainy and cloudy. It’s going to be mostly cloudy and rainy with highs between about 48 and 69 degrees and lows between about 35 and 49 degrees and chances of showers Wednesday and Friday through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

News

🏀The Elks routed Mineral Wells to improve to 8-4 on the season. Parker Haas, Nate Silva and Baron Harrison each scored double digits as the Burleson Elks beat the Mineral Wells Rams 72-50 Tuesday at Burleson High School.

Jump to story

🔵🏀🔴The first Burleson v. Centennial game is Tuesday. The Burleson Buzzer-Beater delivers the latest in Burleson sports, including the Lady Elks hosting the Lady Spartans Tuesday, the Spartans winning at Hoopfest, and the Lady Spartans program sweeping Ennis.

Jump to Buzzer-Beater

🎁Merry Christmas! Enjoy 12 months of 25% off

To celebrate Christmas, The Buzz is offering an exclusive 25% discount on a year-long paid subscription to the newsletter!

That’s a whole year of instant access to in-depth coverage, game recaps, city-council updates and features on the people who make Burleson special—for just $37.50 (normally $50).

Get 25% off for 1 year

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

The Burleson Buzz is offering a way for you to enjoy more of the newsletter—absolutely free.

Using your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community, you can earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

Things to do around town:

🎁Wrap your gifts at the library. The Burleson Public Library is hosting a “Gift Wrapping Party” Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the library with wrapping supplies and refreshments.

🏀Watch Elks basketball. The Burleson Elks (7-4) play in the Aransas Pass Tournament Thursday through Saturday in Aransas Pass.

🏀Watch Lady Elks basketball. The Burleson Lady Elks (3-7) play in a tournament Thursday through Saturday.

🏀Watch Spartans basketball. The Centennial Spartans (7-2) play in the Midlothian-Heritage Tournament Thursday through Saturday in Midlothian.

🏀Watch Lady Spartans basketball. The Centennial Lady Spartans play in a tournament Thursday through Saturday.

🎁Donate to Toys for Tots and celebrate. “Toys for Tots” is hosting a drop-off and celebration event Thursday at 6 p.m. at Burleson ISD Stadium.

🎅Eat breakfast with Santa. The city is hosting “Santa’s Breakfast” Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Russell Farm.

🎅Celebrate Christmas at the library. The Burleson Public Library is hosting “Christmas at the Library” Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the library with refreshments, a holiday scavenger hunt, gift and craft stations and more.

🎅Celebrate the holidays at the winery. Lost Oaks Winery is hosting a holiday celebration Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the winery with live music, a food truck, hot cocoa, pictures with Santa and more.

🎅Watch the city’s Christmas parade. The city is holding its annual “Parade of Lights” Saturday at 6 p.m. in Old Town.

🎄Watch the city’s tree-lighting and drone show. The city holds its annual tree-lighting ceremony and drone show Saturday at 8 p.m. in Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza.

🎅Take pictures with Santa. Santa will be posing for pictures Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Wings of Hope Equitherapy.

🩸Donate blood. Texas Health Burleson Neighborhood Care and Wellness is hosting a blood-drive with Carter BloodCare Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Texas Health Burleson Neighborhood Care and Wellness.

🤝Network at night. The Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its monthly “Network@Night” event Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Island Massage.

🔵🏀🔴Watch crosstown-rivalry basketball. The Burleson Lady Elks (3-7) host the crosstown-rival Centennial Lady Spartans (7-5) Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Burleson High School in each team’s first district game of the 2024-25 season.

🍸Make a Christmas village while drinking mocktails. The Burleson Public Library is hosting a “Mocktails and Masterpieces” event Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the library.

🏀Watch Elks basketball. The Burleson Elks (7-4) face the Ranchview Wolves (4-2) Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Ranchview High School in Burleson’s last non-district, non-tournament game of the season.

🏀Watch Spartans basketball. The Centennial Spartans (7-2) face the Grapevine Mustangs (6-5) Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Grapevine High School in Centennial’s last non-district, non-tournament game of the season.

Upcoming local-government meetings:

• The Burleson City Council will meet Monday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall

🏀Burleson routes Mineral Wells behind double digits from Haas, Silva, Harrison

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON — Parker Haas, Nate Silva and Baron Harrison each scored double digits as the Burleson Elks beat the Mineral Wells Rams 72-50 Tuesday at Burleson High School.

Burleson (8-4) never trailed and led Mineral Wells (0-7) by as many as 27.

Burleson’s defense was active the whole game and finished with seven steals and seven blocks.

“We just kind of practice it every single day,” Burleson head coach Anthony Dees said of his defense aggressively stealing the ball and pressuring the opposing offense. “We’re trying to figure out what works for us and how we’re guarding gaps and how much of the floor we’re willing to give up and trying to get guys in the right position.”

Read full story

🔵🏀🔴Lady Elks host Lady Spartans

The Burleson Lady Elks (3-7) host the crosstown-rival Centennial Lady Spartans (7-5) Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Burleson High School in each team’s first district game of the 2024-25 season.

Burleson and Centennial split the series in 2023-24 with Centennial winning the first matchup 49-38 in November 2023 at Centennial and Burleson getting revenge and evening the series with a 45-28 victory in January at Burleson.

🏀Spartans beat King

The Centennial Spartans (7-2) beat the King Lions (5-4) 61-55 Friday in the 2024 Hoopfest Tournament.

🏀Lady Spartans beat Ennis

The Centennial Lady Spartans (7-5) beat the Ennis Lady Lions (6-10) Tuesday at Kerr Middle School to complete the program sweep of Ennis with the junior-varsity and freshman teams also winning.

What do you think about this newsletter? Click below.
It’s great. It could be better.

The Buzz offers free paid-subscriptions for referring readers

Don’t forget to use your unique referral code to share The Buzz with your friends, family and community to earn free months of a paid subscription while helping the newsletter grow and bring local news back to more people in and around Burleson.

Refer a friend

Golden Legacy Wellness is a Burleson family-owned CBD business with a passion for helping people. Since starting in 2019, their goal has been to help people improve their health and wellness by educating them on the benefits of CBD and THC.
Burleson Buzz readers can save 25% by using code “BUZZ25” at goldenlegacywellness.com.

Advertise in The Burleson Buzz

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weekly Weather

🥶➡️🥵Cold then hot. It’s going to be sunny and mostly clear through Tuesday with temperatures changing from between 38 degrees and 65 degrees Wednesday through Friday to between 55 and 80 Saturday through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

News

🏀The Elks are 3-0 for the first time Coach Dees’s tenure. The Burleson Elks varsity basketball team won its first two home games of the season, beating Lorena Friday and South Hills Tuesday to improve to 3-0 for the first time under head coach Anthony Dees.

Jump to stories

🏈The Spartans were eliminated from the playoffs in OT. Plus, more of the latest in high-school sports in Burleson in The Burleson Buzzer-Beater.

Jump to Buzzer-Beater

Things to do around town:

• 🎨🍷Paint pumpkins and drink wine with friends. Lost Oak Winery is hosting a “Friendsgiving Paint and Sip” Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the winery with pumpkins to paint.

• 🥷🎮Compete in Mortal Kombat. Lone Star Bar and Grill is hosting a Mortal Kombat tournament Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the restaurant.

• 🏀Watch Elks Basketball. The Burleson Elks varsity basketball team (3-0) will compete in a tournament Thursday through Saturday in Keene.

• 🏀Watch Spartans Basketball. The Centennial Spartans varsity basketball team (3-0) will compete in the Southwest ISD Tournament Thursday through Saturday in San Antonio.

• 🦞Eat Maine lobster. Cousins Maine Lobster will be serving lobster dishes Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Texas Health Burleson.

• 🎷Listen to jazz at the winery. Randy Sloan is playing Thursday at 5 p.m. at Lost Oak Winery.

• 🚸Play bingo to benefit children. The Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Badges, Bags & Bingo” Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Cleburne Conference Center with bingo, food, auctions and raffles to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Johnson County.

• 🏀Watch Lady Elks Basketball. The Burleson Lady Elks varsity basketball team (3-3) will compete in a tournament Friday and Saturday.

• 🛒Visit a local market. Torque Grill and Cantina will host a “Moonlight Fall Market” Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., turning its space into a marketplace with local vendors, live music and food and drinks.

• 🏀Watch Lady Spartans Basketball. The Centennial Lady Spartans varsity basketball team (5-4) will play the Garland Lady Owls (3-5) Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Centennial High School.

• 🎄Watch The Nutcracker. Artistic Motion Dance Academy will perform its 12th annual production of “The Nutcracker” Friday at 7 p.m. at Pathway Church.

• 🏃Do some tricks and flips. The Groovy Yoga Studio is hosting its “Aerial Tricks and Flips” event Friday at 7 p.m. at the studio in Old Town.

• 💃Zumba at the park. “Zumba life with Lanie” is hosting a Zumba class Saturday at 10 a.m. at Centennial Park.

• 🥧(Teens) Compete in a pie-eating contest. The Burleson Public Library is hosting a teen pie-eating contest Saturday at 11 a.m. at the library.

• 😡💪Get angry for exercise. The Groovy Yoga Studio is hosting an “Anger Club” session Saturday at 4 p.m. at the studio in Old Town.

• 🎶Attend a concert at the winery. “Tickle & Croon” will be playing Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lost Oak Winery.

• 🥁Jam to reggae. “DJ Spirit” will be playing music Saturday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Jamaican Summers Eatery.

• 🎶🍕Listen to live music and eat pizza. Brock DeWald is playing Sunday at 5 p.m. at Gina’s Pizza.

• 🚶‍♀️Give thanks while strolling with your baby and other moms. FIT4MOM Burleson-Crowley is hosting a “Thankful Strides + Craft” event Monday at 9:30 a.m. at Warren Park.

• 🕴️Talk business over breakfast. The Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its monthly “Business over Breakfast” event Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Burleson Recreation Center (BRiCk).

• 👩‍🍼💪🦃Do some stroller-barre and have a “friendsgiving” picnic. FIT4MOM Burleson-Crowley is hosting a “Gratitude Barre + Friendsgiving Picnic” event Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza.

• 🏀Watch Lady Spartans Basketball. The Centennial Lady Spartans varsity basketball team (5-4) plays the Midlothian Lady Panthers (6-2) Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Centennial High School.

• 🧙‍♂️Watch Oz outside. The Burleson Public Library will show “The Wizard of Oz” Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the library.

Upcoming local-government meetings:

• The Burleson Cemetery Board will meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

  • Agenda

🏀Haas, Harrison, Evans score double digits as Burleson wins third straight over South Hills

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON — Parker Haas, Baron Harrison and B.J. Evans each scored double digits as the Burleson Elks beat the South Hills Scorpions 52-42 Tuesday at Burleson High School.

In a game with 10 lead changes, Burleson (3-0) ran away with it in the fourth quarter–outscoring South Hills (0-7) 17-10.

“We kind of just believed in what we practice every single day,” Burleson head coach Anthony Dees said of Burleson closing the game out in the fourth. 

With the game tied 38-38 early in the fourth quarter, senior guard Haas–who led the game with 12 points–hit his fourth three-pointer of the game—second in the quarter—to give Burleson a 41-38 lead that it held the rest of the game.

Read full story

🏀Burleson wins home opener behind 19 from Evans, 16 from Haas

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON — Samarion Evans scored 19 points and Parker Haas scored 16 as the Burleson Elks beat the Lorena Leopards 50-36 Friday at Burleson High School in Burleson’s home opener.

Burleson (2-0) never lost the lead after junior forward Baron Harrison made an and-one layup and hit the following free throw to bring the score to 8-6 in the first quarter.

Lorena cut Burleson’s lead to 29-28 in the third quarter before Evans made a free throw and Haas made a three-pointer to start a 19-8 run by Burleson to finish the game.

Read full story

🏈Centennial eliminated by Georgetown with overtime Bi-District Championship loss

The Centennial Spartans varsity football team (5-6 overall) were eliminated from the playoffs with a 48-42 overtime loss to the District 8-5A Champion Georgetown Eagles (9-1) Friday at Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex in a Bi-District Championship game.

Centennial came back from down 28-0 at halftime and took a 35-28 lead before the end of regulation before ultimately falling in overtime.

🏀Cox named player of the game in Centennial’s invitational win

Jared Cox was named the player of the game in the Centennial Spartans varsity basketball team’s (3-0) 77-60 win over the R.W. Goines Stem Academy (0-2) in the Jamaal Brown Invitational Tournament Saturday at Sam Houston High School in Arlington.

Cox scored 17 points and added 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the win.

🏀Lady Spartans go 4-1 at Paschal Invitational

The Centennial Lady Spartans varsity basketball team (5-4) went 4-1 at the Paschal Invitational Tournament last week.

Centennial beat the Springtown Lady Porcupines (1-3) 50-32 and beat the Weatherford Lady Kangaroos (5-2) 53-40 Thursday, beat the Sanger Lady Indians (5-5) 34-29 and lost to the Grandview Lady Zebras (7-2) 43-28 Friday and beat the District 8-5A rival Joshua Lady Owls (4-4) 58-55 Saturday in the tournament.

After the tournament, Centennial lost 43-42 in overtime to the Timber Creek Lady Falcons (7-2) Tuesday at Centennial.

🏀Kimbrell scores 15 in Lady Elks’ bounce-back win over Cooper

Sophomore guard Kenzie Kimbrell scored 15 points as the Burleson Lady Elks varsity basketball team (3-3) beat the Abilene-Cooper Lady Cougars (0-8) 63-28 Tuesday at Burleson High School after losing 49-27 to the Aledo Lady Bearcats (4-1) Friday in Aledo.

What do you think about this newsletter? Click below.
It’s great. It could be better.

Golden Legacy Wellness is a Burleson family-owned CBD business with a passion for helping people. Since starting in 2019, their goal has been to help people improve their health and wellness by educating them on the benefits of CBD and THC.
Burleson Buzz readers can save 25% by using code “BUZZ25” at goldenlegacywellness.com.

Advertise in The Burleson Buzz

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weekly Weather

☀️➡️🌦️It’s looking mostly sunny until a potentially rainy few days begins Sunday. It’s going to be mostly sunny days with highs in the mid 70s and clear nights with lows in the low 40s through Saturday before there’s at least a 20% chance of showers everyday Sunday through Tuesday with the temperature staying consistent, according to the National Weather Service.

News

🍸Liquor stores can officially operate in Burleson. Burleson voters elected to allow liquor stores to operate in Burleson in the local election November 5.

Jump to story

💰Johnson County’s $60 million transportation bond passed. Johnson County voters elected to approve a $60 million transportation bond in the election November 5.

Jump to story

🛣️City Council approved a project to widen Alsbury and discussed more road improvements. The Burleson City Council approved a project to widen Alsbury Boulevard and directed city staff to update the street asset-management program to repair Hidden Creek Parkway, Renfro Street and Alsbury sooner than initially planned November 4 at City Hall.

Jump to story

🏈🏐🏀The Burleson Buzzer-Beater. The Spartans made the playoffs, the Elks routed Everman in their last game of the season, multiple Lady Spartans and Lady Elks volleyball players win all-district awards after both teams were eliminated from the playoffs, the Spartans’ and Elks’ basketball teams are both undefeated while the Lady Spartans and Lady Elks are less consistent.

Jump to Buzzer-Beater

Help The Buzz produce more content you like

Please give me a better idea of how you prefer to consume and engage with The Burleson Buzz and news in general by filling out the survey.

Take the news-content survey

Thank you!
—Cody

Burleson elects to allow liquor stores

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON — Burleson voters elected to allow liquor stores to operate in Burleson in the local election Tuesday.

13,889 Burleson residents voted for allowing liquor stores while 6,752 voted against it, according to the unofficial results published by the city Wednesday.

Burleson City Council approved holding a special local-option election for the allowance of liquor stores to operate in Burleson after 5,505 signatures on a local option-election petition were verified and accepted by the city February 27, meeting the 5,430-signature requirement to order the election. The signatures were submitted February 2 before the February 5 deadline.

11,359 of the favorable votes and 5,659 of the votes against came from Johnson County residents while 2,521 favorable votes and 1,093 votes against came from Tarrant County residents.

Read more

Johnson County voters approve $60 million bond

Cody O’Brien

JOHNSON COUNTY — Johnson County voters elected to approve a $60 million transportation bond in Tuesday’s election.

The bond will fund projects designed to address safety and mobility on Johnson County roadways.

The bond will increase the Johnson County property-tax rate $0.0099–an increase of $24.92 annually for the average Johnson County home, Brandon Crisp reported in The Burleson Buzz in September.

42,026 (56.8%) Johnson County residents voted in favor of the bond while 31,955 (43.2%) voted against it, according to the unofficial results published by the county Wednesday.

The election results will be made official when they are canvassed November 14.

City Council greenlights widening Alsbury, updates plans to improve major roads

Brandon D. Crisp

BURLESON – The Burleson City Council approved a project to widen Alsbury Boulevard and directed city staff to update the street asset-management program to repair Hidden Creek Parkway, Renfro Street and Alsbury sooner than initially planned Monday at City Hall.

The bond will fund projects designed to address safety and mobility on Johnson County roadways.

The bond will increase the Johnson County property-tax rate $0.0099–an increase of $24.92 annually for the average Johnson County home, Brandon Crisp reported in The Burleson Buzz in September.

42,026 (56.8%) Johnson County residents voted in favor of the bond while 31,955 (43.2%) voted against it, according to the unofficial results published by the county Wednesday.

The election results will be made official when they are canvassed November 14.

Read more

🏈Spartans clinch playoffs with victory over Joshua

The Centennial Spartans varsity football team (3-3 in district, 5-5 overall) beat the Joshua Owls (1-5, 5-5) 17-10 Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in District 7-5A.

Centennial plays the District 8-5A Champion Georgetown Eagles (9-1) Friday at 7 p.m. at Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex in a Bi-District Championship game.

🏈Elks finish season with blowout over Everman

The Burleson Elks varsity football team (3-5 in district, 4-6 overall) beat the Everman Bulldogs (1-7, 1-9) 47-7 Friday at J.E. Marr Stadium to finish the 2024 season, Burleson’s first under head coach Phillip Tanner.

🏅🏐Rogers named District MVP, Smith Coach of The Year

The Centennial Lady Spartans varsity volleyball team’s senior hitter Ne’khaela Rogers won District 8-5A Most Valuable Player and head coach Stephanie L. Smith won Coach of The Year for the district.

The Burleson Lady Elks varsity volleyball team’s senior libero Camryn Bruder and Centennial senior libero Kallie Connelly each won Libero of The Year for the district.

Centennial senior setter Paityn Winters won Setter of The Year.

Burleson senior middle hitter Haley Peterson and junior setter Brooklyn Lynes and Centennial senior middle hitter Brylee Stevens, senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Kennedy Smith-Johnson, senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Lauren Schneidmiller, junior setter Channing Ward and sophomore defensive specialist Gracyn McKay also won First-Team All-District.

Burleson senior libero/defensive specialist Jayce Davault, senior outside hitter Layla Frasier and sophomore middle hitter Angela Ombati and Centennial senior middle hitter Mia Shealey-Hendrix and senior defensive specialist Kendall Whitney won Second-Team All-District.

Burleson senior defensive specialist Macie Davis and sophomore middle hitter Natalia Lathan and Centennial senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Savhanna Thompson were All-District honorable mentions.

Burleson junior hitter Daelyn Cross won All-District Newcomer of The Year.

Rogers, Bruder, Connelly, Winters, Lynes, Stevens, Smith-Johnson, Schneidmiller, Ward, McKay, Davault, Fraser, Ombati, Shealey-Hendrix, Whitney, Davis, Lathan and Cross also won Academic All-District with Burleson sophomore setter/outside hitter/defensive specialist Morgan Mcalpin, senior middle hitter Peyton Stanley, Guinevere Vandertol, junior middle hitter Gemma Sweeney and senior defensive specialist Brooklyn Crumby and Centennial senior Kensley Glazener, junior setter Sophia Kirkpatrick and sophomore hitter Lauren Seeton.

🏐Lady Spartans’ historic volleyball season ends with Area-Championship loss

The Bi-District Champion Centennial Lady Spartans varsity volleyball team (36-9 overall) lost three sets to one (14-25, 25-23, 10-25, 13-25) to the Colleyville-Heritage Lady Panthers (36-6) Thursday in the Area Championship.

🏐Lady Elks fall to Aledo in Area Championship

The Bi-District Champion Burleson Lady Elks varsity volleyball team (24-16 overall) lost three sets to none (10-25, 12-25, 12-25) to the Aledo Lady Bearcats (34-7) Thursday in the Area Championship.

🏀Spartans win first two games of season

The Centennial Spartans varsity basketball team (2-0) beat the Southwest Raiders (1-1) 63-47 Tuesday at Centennial High School in Centennial’s home opener after beating the Hutto Hippos (0-3) 67-59 Saturday at Hutto High School in Centennial’s season opener.

🏀Elks win season opener

The Burleson Elks varsity basketball team (1-0) beat the Waco-Robinson Rockets (0-2) 67-61 Tuesday at Robinson High School in Waco in Burleson’s 2023-34 season opener.

🏀Lady Elks beat Parish Episcopal, fall to Granbury

The Burleson Lady Elks varsity basketball team (2-2) lost 35-31 to the Granbury Lady Pirates (3-1) Tuesday at Burleson High School after beating the Parish Episcopal Lady Panthers (0-1) 68-25 Friday at Burleson.

🏀Lady Spartans fall to Midlothian-Heritage

The Centennial Lady Spartans varsity basketball team (1-2) lost 50-26 to the Midlothian-Heritage Lady Jaguars (2-2) Friday at Heritage High School.

What do you think about this newsletter? Click below.
It’s great. It could be better.

Golden Legacy Wellness is a Burleson family-owned CBD business with a passion for helping people. Since starting in 2019, their goal has been to help people improve their health and wellness by educating them on the benefits of CBD and THC.
Burleson Buzz readers can save 25% by using code “BUZZ25” at goldenlegacywellness.com.

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weekly Weather

Cooling down. It’s going to be sunny and clear with highs between 69 and 82 degrees and lows between 44 and 56 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

News

Centennial falls as Midlothian comes back from down 17. Midlothian scores three unanswered touchdowns in fourth quarter to hand Centennial its first district loss.

Read story

Latest results from other Burleson sports in The Burleson Buzzer-Beater. Lady Spartans break regular-season win record, Elks beat The Colony, Lady Elks beat Timberview.

Read Buzzer-Beater

Things to do around town:

• Get the latest on business in Burleson. The Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce and Burleson Economic Development host the 2024 Fall Luncheon Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Pathway Church to provide an “update on what’s going on in the business world and around the community.”

• Watch Burleson football. The Burleson Elks (2-2 in district, 3-3 overall) face the Mansfield-Timberview Wolves (2-3, 3-4) Friday at 7 p.m. at Burleson ISD Stadium.

• Watch Burleson volleyball. The Burleson Lady Elks (7-2 in district, 20-13 overall) face the Mansfield-Summit Lady Jaguars (0-6, 4-20) Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Burleson High School.

• Watch Centennial football. The Centennial Spartans (1-1 in district, 3-3 overall) face the Tyler Lions (2-1, 4-3) Friday at 7 p.m. at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis Rose Stadium in Tyler. 

• Watch Centennial volleyball. The Centennial Lady Spartans (9-0 in district, 30-7 overall) face the Everman Lady Bulldogs (3-6, 10-13) Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Everman High School.

• Sketch on a farm. Burleson Parks and Recreation hosts its “Saturday Morning Sketch Group” Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Chesapeake Building at Russell Farm Art Center.

• Fall into Art. Burleson Parks and Recreation hosts a “Fall Into Art” class Saturday from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Russell Farm Art Center for teens and adults for $30 with supplies provided. The theme of Saturday’s class is “Beastly Eyes.”

• Boo Bash. Burleson Parks and Recreation hosts “Boo Bash” Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Chisenhall Fields, offering free candy for children up to 12 years old and free games, bounce houses, pumpkin-painting, “Country Critters” petting zoo, food trucks and performances.

• Watch more Burleson volleyball. The Lady Elks face the Seguin Lady Cougars (0-9 in district, 6-19 overall) Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Burleson High School.

• Watch more Centennial volleyball. The Lady Spartans face the Joshua Lady Owls (8-1 in district, 24-13 overall) Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Centennial High School.

• Make paper ornaments. The Burleson Public Library hosts a paper-ornament craft night for those at least 18 years old Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the library.

Share

Upcoming local-government meetings

• The Burleson Cemetary Board meets Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Agenda

• The Burleson Park Board meets Thursday at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Agenda

• The Burleson Economic Development Corporation meets Monday at 4:30 p.m. at City Hall.

• The Burleson City Council meets Monday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Subscribe now

Midlothian completes 17-point comeback to beat Centennial

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON – The Midlothian Panthers completed a 17-point comeback to beat the Centennial Spartans 37-33 Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium.

Midlothian (3-0 in district, 6-1 overall) scored its third unanswered touchdown of the fourth quarter and took its first lead of the game on junior quarterback Beau Wendel’s eight-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Brendyn Jackson to bring the score to 37-33 after the extra point with 13 seconds left in the game.

Jackson caught two passes–both touchdowns–for 47 yards. Wendel completed six of 13 passes for 156 yards and two touchdown passes.

Centennial scored the first touchdown of the game on junior running back Jaylon Walker’s one-yard rush to cap off an 11-play opening drive and give Centennial (1-1 in district, 3-3 overall) a 7-0 lead after the extra point with 6:48 left in the first quarter.

Walker rushed for a game-high 109 yards and scored two touchdowns on 20 carries in the win.

After Centennial forced a three-and-out on Midlothian’s first possession, senior receiver/defensive back Keilan Gregory returned the punt 72 yards from Centennial’s 18-yard line to Midlothian’s 10 to set up a first and goal for Centennial.

After a six-yard run, Walker scored his second touchdown on a four-yard run to increase Centennial’s lead to 14-0 with 3:42 left in the first.

After an 86-yard catch-and-run by Midlothian senior running back Kayden Gibson on third down to set Midlothian up on Centennial’s four-yard line, senior running back David Aborisade scored on a four-yard run to cut Centennial’s lead to 14-7 with 7:05 left in the second quarter.

Aborisade ran for 26 yards and the touchdown on five carries. Gibson caught four passes for 109 yards.

Centennial finished a seven-play drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Jacob Torres to senior receiver Damien Long to increase its lead to 20-7 with 6:38 left in the third quarter.

Midlothian blocked the extra point attempt and junior defensive back Carson Kemp returned it for a two-point conversion to cut Centennial's lead to 20-9.

Torres completed 13 of 21 passes for 133 yards and two touchdown passes with an interception. Long caught five passes for 45 yards and the touchdown and scored a 60-yard rushing touchdown.

After Midlothian turned the ball over on downs, Centennial took over on Midlothian’s 49-yard line and drove down the field in eight plays and scored as Torres completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Dane Burnett to bring the score to 26-9 after the missed extra point with 2:23 left in the third.

Midlothian completed a 65-yard drive in six plays as Wendel completed a 39-yard touchdown pass to Jackson and senior defensive back Zechariah Washington ran in the two-point conversion to cut Centennial's lead to 26-17 with 11:52 left in the fourth.

Following an eight-yard run by Walker on Centennial’s first play of the next possession, Long scored on a 60-yard touchdown run to bring Centennial's lead to 33-17 with 11:01 left in the fourth.

Beginning the next possession at their own 42-yard line, Midlothian drove down in seven plays and scored on junior running back Michael Archie’s one-yard rush to cut Centennial's lead to 33-23 after a failed two-point conversion with 8:22 left in the game.

Archie ran for 39 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.

Centennial failed to gain a first down on their next possession and turned the ball over on downs at their own 34-yard line. Centennial opted to go for it on fourth-and-one after gaining five penalty yards when Midlothian ran into junior punter Jack Miller on fourth-and-six.

After a 14-yard run by sophomore receiver Kentorion King, Archie scored his second touchdown of the game on a 20-yard run to pull Midlothian within three points and bring the score to 33-30 with 6:09 left.

King led Midlothian with 86 rushing yards on seven carries.

Centennial punted from their own 32-yard line to give Midlothian the ball on their own 41-yard line with 3:15 left.

Midlothian drove down the field in 10 plays and left Centennial with 13 seconds to score after taking their only lead of the game on Wendel’s touchdown pass to Jackson.

Centennial senior receiver led Centennial with 72 receiving yards on five catches.

Senior linebacker Meziah Ababio and junior defensive end Andre Hoffman led Centennial with seven tackles each. Hoffman added two sacks.

Senior running back Jaxon Williams ran for 45 yards on 10 carries.

Centennial will look to bounce back as they face the Tyler Lions (2-1 in district, 4-3 overall) Friday at 7 p.m. at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Francis Rose Stadium in Tyler. 

Tyler has won two straight games after beating the Cleburne Yellow Jackets (0-3, 0-7) 45-22 Friday and the Joshua Owls (0-3, 4-3) 24-7 October 4 after opening district play with a 35-9 loss to the Highland Park Scots (2-0, 5-1) September 27.

Midlothian will look to remain undefeated in district after a bye week when they face Tyler October 25 at 7 p.m. at Midlothian ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Midlothian.

Share

Lady Spartans break regular-season wins record, Elks and Lady Elks win

• The Centennial Lady Spartans varsity volleyball team (10-0 in district, 31-7 overall) beat the Seguin Lady Cougars (0-9, 6-19) 3-0–25-11, 25-10 and 25-9–Tuesday at Seguin High School to break the Lady Spartans’ record for most regular-season wins after beating Mansfield-Summit Lady Jaguars (0-6, 4-20) 3-0—25-5, 25-12 and 25-11—Friday at Centennial High School behind 14 kills from senior Ne’khaela Rogers.

• The Burleson Elks varsity football team (2-2 in district, 3-3 overall) beat The Colony Cougars (1-4, 3-4) 10-7 Friday at 7 p.m. at Tommy Briggs Stadium behind 126 rushing yards from junior running back Nate Jackson.

• The Burleson Lady Elks varsity volleyball team (7-2 in district, 20-13 overall) beat the Mansfield-Timberview Lady Wolves (4-5, 7-22) 3-0—25-17, 25-22 and 25-13—Friday at Burleson High School behind 13 kills from senior Haley Peterson.

Subscribe now

Golden Legacy Wellness is a Burleson family-owned CBD business with a passion for helping people. Since starting in 2019, their goal has been to help people improve their health and wellness by educating them on the benefits of CBD and THC.
Burleson Buzz readers can save 25% by using code “BUZZ25” at goldenlegacywellness.com.

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weekly Weather

It’s expected to be clear and sunny with expected highs in the low-to-mid 90s and lows in the low-to-mid 60s until Monday and Tuesday when the highs are 83 degrees and 76 degrees, respectively, and the lows are below 60 degrees.

News

Elks win homecoming game. Junior wide receiver Jaden Hernandez scored the game’s only touchdown as the Burleson Elks earned their first district win of 2024 with a victory over the Grapevine Mustangs Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium on Burleson’s homecoming night.

Read story

Things to do around town:

• Deter egrets. Texas Wildlife Services urban biologist Adam Henry will be discussing how to deter egrets Wednesday at 6 p.m. at 113 Northeast Brushy Mound Road.

• Zumba in the plaza. Claudia Soto hosts “Zumba Latin Nights in the Plaza” Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza.

• Learn about diabetes. Texas Health is hosting a “Diabetes Expo” Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at Texas Health Huguley Fitness Center.

• Watch Burleson football. The Elks will look to maintain momentum and win back-to-back games for the first time in 2024 when they face The Colony Cougars (1-3, 3-3) Friday at 7 p.m. at Tommy Briggs Stadium in The Colony.

• Watch Centennial football. The Spartans return home after their bye week to face the Midlothian Panthers (2-0 in district, 5-1 overall) Friday at 7 p.m. at Burleson ISD Stadium.

• Watch Burleson volleyball. The Lady Elks face the Mansfield-Timberview Lady Wolves (4-4 in district, 7-20 overall) Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Burleson High School and the Cleburne Lady Yellow Jackets (1-5, 9-18) Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cleburne High School.

• Watch Centennial volleyball. The Centennial Lady Spartans face the Mansfield-Summit Lady Jaguars (0-5 in district, 4-19 overall) Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Centennial High School and the Seguin Lady Cougars (0-5, 6-15) Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Seguin High School.

• Learn to can. The city is hosting an October-themed canning class Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Russell Farm to teach attendees how to can Apple Maple Walnut Conserve.

• Sketch on a farm. Burleson Parks and Recreation hosts its “Saturday Morning Sketch Group” Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Chesapeake Building at Russell Farm Art Center.

• Celebrate Founder’s Day. The city is holding its Founder’s Day celebration Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza with historical reenactments, live music, a car show, vendors and a “Kids Zone.”

• Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The Burleson Public Library is hosting “Día de los Muertos Stories and Sweets” Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the library where six-to-10-year-old attendees can sample sweets and discuss “A Dash of Trouble” by Anna Meriano.

• Attend a concert on the lawn. “Spjork” is playing Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lost Oak Winery.

• Run from zombies. Hidden Creek Nutrition is hosting a “Zombie Fun Run 5k” Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Bailey Lake.

• Celebrate Fall at a winery. Lost Oak Winery is hosting “Fall Fest” Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the winery with Texas High Road playing live music and Calhoun’s Country Smoke serving food.

• Walk and talk about books. The Burleson Public Library is hosting their “Books Walks and Talks” event Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Burleson Recreation Center (BRiCk) where attendees can talk about what they’re reading while walking.

  Share

No local-government meetings this week

Subscribe now

Elks get first district win on homecoming night

Cody O’Brien and Emily Nava (photographer)

This article has been edited to correctly name Elks senior kicker Gavin Kiene.
—Cody

BURLESON — The Burleson Elks earned their first district win of 2024 with a 9-0 victory over the Grapevine Mustangs Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium on Burleson’s homecoming night.

Junior receiver Jaden Hernandez scored the game’s only touchdown on a 19-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Andrew Sparks in the back of the end zone to increase the Elks’ lead over Grapevine to 9-0 with five minutes left in the game.

Hernandez finished with 70 receiving yards and the touchdown on five catches.

Sparks completed 18 of 24 passes for 153 yards and the touchdown pass and led the Elks with 78 rushing yards on 17 carries.

After a scoreless first half and eight minutes of the third quarter, senior kicker Gavin Kiene kicked a 29-yard field goal to give the Elks a 3-0 lead with 3:30 left in the third.

Read full story

Subscribe now

Help The Burleson Buzz bring local news back to Burleson by purchasing advertising space in the newsletter.

The Burleson Buzz offers paid articles and advertising plans—including a premium and standard option—to businesses sponsoring the publication.

Inquire about ad space

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weather

It’s going to be clear and sunny with highs between 88 and 92 degrees and lows between 63 and 65 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

News

Lady Spartans beat Lady Elks to take sole possession of first place. The first-place Centennial Lady Spartans (6-0 in district, 27-7 overall) beat the Burleson Lady Elks (5-1, 18-12) three sets to one Tuesday at Centennial High School.

Read story

Spartans win first district game as seniors Damien Long and Jaxon Williams each score twice. Wide receiver Long had seven catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns, and running back Williams had 12 carries for 57 yards and two touchdowns as Centennial (1-0 in district, 3-2 overall) won its first district game of 2024.

Read story

Feature Story

The story of an ordinary Burleson resident who roams the streets dressed as Spider-Man.

Read story

Things to do around town:

• Listen to live music. Jason Eady is playing Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Heim Barbecue.

• Bowling league mixer. Alley Cats is hosting a “bowling league mixer” Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Alley Cats.

• Farmers Market. The Burleson Farmers Market will be held Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Old Town.

• Boogie with family. The city is hosting “Let's Boo-gie: Tiny Tots Rave” Friday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at City Hall.

• 70s Night. Lost Oak Winery is hosting “70s Night” Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the winery.

• Watch Burleson Lady Elks volleyball. The second-place Burleson Lady Elks (5-1 in district, 18-12 overall) face the Joshua Lady Owls (4-1, 20-13) Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Burleson High School.

• Watch Centennial Lady Spartans volleyball. The first-place Centennial Lady Spartans (6-0 in district, 27-7 overall) face the Mansfield Timberview Lady Wolves (3-2, 6-18) Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Centennial High School.

• Watch Burleson Elks homecoming football. The Burleson Elks (0-2 in district, 1-3 overall) face the Grapevine Mustangs (0-3, 0-5) Friday at 7 p.m. at Burleson ISD Stadium in their 2024 homecoming game.

• Sketch on a farm. Burleson Parks and Recreation hosts its “Saturday Morning Sketch Group” Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Chesapeake Building at Russell Farm Art Center.

• Eat donuts with dogs. Burleson Parks and Recreation is hosting “Dogs and Donuts: Halloween Edition” Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Burleson Bark Park.

• See a cat show. The Fort Worth Ares Cat Show and Adoption Event will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Burleson Event Center.

• Celebrate Fall. The city is hosting “Fall Fest at the Farm” Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Russell Farm.

• Support a local artist and writer. Danii Oliver, creator of a series of books about homeschooling, will be at Geek Out Saturday at noon.

• 2024 BTX Brewfest. BTX Brewfest will be held Saturday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Old Town.

• Trunk-or-Treat Car Show. Torque Grill and Cantina is hosting a “trunk-or-treat” car show Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the restaurant.

• Learn to can during homeschool. The city is hosting a homeschooling class to teach students how to can food Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Russell Farm.

• Network at night. The Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its monthly “Network@Night” event Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at NBT Financial.

• Sip and decorate. Frosted Delights will be teaching people how to decorate “spooky cookies” Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lost Oak Winery.

• Watch more Lady Elks volleyball. The second-place Burleson Lady Elks (5-1 in district, 18-12 overall) face the Everman Lady Bulldogs (1-6, 8-13) Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Everman High School.

• Watch more Lady Spartan volleyball. The first-place Centennial Lady Spartans (6-0 in district, 27-7 overall) face the Cleburne Lady Yellow Jackets (2-4, 10-17) Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Cleburne High School.

Subscribe now

Upcoming local-government meetings

• The Burleson City Council is meeting Monday at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall

Inquire about ad space

Lady Spartans beat Lady Elks to take sole possession of first place

BURLESON — The first-place Centennial Lady Spartans beat the Burleson Lady Elks three sets to one Tuesday at Centennial High School.

Centennial (6-0 in district, 27-7 overall)—now in sole possession of first place in District 8-5A—took the first two sets 25-21 and 25-16, respectively, before Burleson (5-1, 18-12) won the third 26-24 and Centennial won the fourth 25-17.

The game followed both Burleson and Centennial winning last week.

Junior Daelyn Cross led Burleson with 18 kills as the Lady Elks beat the Seguin Lady Cougars three sets to one Friday—winning the first two sets 25-11 and 25-7, respectively, before losing the third 25-18 and winning the fourth 25-16.

Senior Lauren Schneidmiller led Centennial with 17 kills as the Lady Spartans beat the Joshua Lady Owls three sets to two Friday—dropping the first set 25-17 before winning the second and third sets 27-25 and 25-23, respectively, losing the fourth 25-20 and winning the fifth 15-10

Burleson faces the Joshua Lady Owls (4-1, 20-13) Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Burleson High School.

Centennial faces the Mansfield Timberview Lady Wolves (3-2, 6-18) Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Centennial High School.

Long and Williams each score pair of touchdowns as Spartans win first district game

Cody O’Brien

CLEBURNE — Damien Long and Jaxon Williams each scored two touchdowns as the Centennial Spartans beat the Cleburne Yellow Jackets 38-28 Friday at Yellow Jacket Stadium.

The senior wide receiver Long had seven catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns and one 25-yard run, and senior running back Williams had 12 carries for 57 yards and two touchdowns as Centennial (1-0 in district, 3-2 overall) won its first district game of 2024.

Williams put the Spartans on the board first with a nine-yard touchdown run to give Centennial a 7-0 lead over Cleburne (0-1, 0-5) after the extra point with 8:04 left in the first quarter.

Cleburne junior running back Hayden Leifeste scored on a two-yard rush to tie the game 7-7 after the extra point with 3:44 left in the first quarter.

Leifeste ran for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries and caught two passes for 13 yards Friday.

Long got Centennial’s lead back as he scored on an eight-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jacob Torres to bring the score to 14-7 after the extra point with 3:19 left in the first.

Torres completed 13 of 18 passes for 221 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions in the win.

Cleburne tied the game again on a 44-yard pass from junior quarterback Luke Stewart to junior receiver Malachi Cunningham to bring the score to 14-14 after the extra point with nine seconds left in the first.

Read full story

Inquire about ad space

Burleson's Friendly-Neighborhood Spider-Man

Cody O’Brien

Peter Parker was an ordinary teenager until he was bitten by a radioactive spider and gained the proportional strength, speed and agility of a spider and adhesive fingertips that allowed him to stick to walls. When his uncle Ben died tragically, Peter chose to use these abilities to help people–for with great power there must also come great responsibility.

The guy who walks around Burleson dressed as Spider-Man wasn’t bitten by a radioactive spider. He doesn’t have any of the comic-book character’s super powers. He does feel a sense of responsibility when he wears the costume though.

The responsibility Burleson’s Spider-Man feels is to spread positivity–cheering people up and giving them something to talk about.

“It’s really fun interacting with all the different people, seeing people from all different walks of life just kind of talk to me and everything, and kind of helping make their day a little more interesting,” Burleson’s Spider-Man said in an interview.

Burleson’s Spider-Man–a 25-year-old retail employee who chooses to keep his true identity a secret–has been roaming the streets of Burleson dressed as his favorite superhero, Marvel Comics’ friendly-neighborhood wall-crawler since 2020. Since then he–like the actual Spider-Man–has become a staple in his community.

“Of course he’s an icon around Burleson,” said photographer Ashley Lee who’s lived in Burleson for 14 years. “Everybody knows him and everybody sees him.”

Lee’s first interaction with Spider-Man was on her 12-year-old son’s birthday party when she happened to see Spider-Man walking down her street. She said she flagged him down and that he “could not have been nicer” when she asked him to join the party and take pictures with the kids.

“We had a bunch of 12-year-olds here who lost all their minds,” Lee said of the reaction to Spider-Man joining the party.

Birthday parties are a regular part of Burleson’s Spider-Man’s life now along with events for the city, schools and other organizations.

Those who haven’t seen him at a party or event have probably seen him taking the walk he takes at least weekly. That walk usually comes after hanging out in Old Town at Daydream Coffee Co. or on the bench in front of Pandan. From there, he heads down Ellison Street to First Baptist Church Burleson before turning on Johnson Avenue, walking past Warren Park and Burleson Collegiate High School to Walgreens and turning on Hidden Creek to head to Bailey Lake.

When he first started doing this, he didn’t imagine he’d become as known as he is in Burleson.

“I never thought I’d be kind of renowned around here,” he said. 

When he first started dressing up as Spider-Man in public, he was worried people would think he was trying to bother them or get attention. However, he said the initial reactions were “surprisingly positive.” “A lot of people got a kick out of it,” he said.

“I definitely got stares,” he said. “People were definitely like ‘Okay that guy looks a little weird.’”

He said he “completely understands” people who think what he does is weird. 

“A guy in his mid-twenties dressing up as Spider-Man in public is definitely a little weird.”

Despite it being weird, he dresses up as Spider-Man in public because of the effect he sees it has on people and the effect that has on him. 

He needed that effect in 2020 after a “bad breakup” left him feeling “the saddest” he’d ever been.

“Everyone gets sad, but at the time it was on a whole other level,” he said. “I just couldn’t fathom that that type of feeling was possible.”

He decided to do what he could to help other people not feel as bad as he did.

“I was like, ‘If I’m feeling that, surely other people are able to feel that as well.’” he said. “So I basically just wanted to go around [and] just kind of cheer people up essentially–kind of like use the energy I was feeling in there and just put it out for other people in a positive way.”

Read full story

Inquire about ad space

Subscribe now

Help The Burleson Buzz bring local news back to Burleson by purchasing advertising space in the newsletter.

The Burleson Buzz offers paid articles and advertising plans—including a premium and standard option—to businesses sponsoring the publication.

Inquire about purchasing ad space

What’s the Buzz in Burleson this week?

Weather

After a potentially stormy day Wednesday, things should be mostly clear, sunny and a bit windy with highs staying in the mid-to-high 80s and lows in the low-to-mid 60s—National Weather Service

News

City Council discusses Burleson’s poorly-rated roads. Burleson’s roadways score 69 out of 100 with 14% of roadways considered failed, according to the Pavement Management Program presentation at Monday’s meeting.

Jump to article

Elks lose to Summit, Jaden Hernandez breaks 100 yards. The junior receiver scored Burleson’s only touchdown en-route to 96 receiving yards and eight rushing yards in the 35-10 loss to the Mansfield Summit Jaguars Friday at Vernon Newsom Stadium.

Jump to game recap

Things to do around town:

• Meet with young professionals. Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce is holding its “Young Professionals Meetup” Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Fresco’s for anyone 40 years old and younger.

• Paint with a twist. Lost Oak Winery hosts a “Paint & Sip: Boo Y’all Welcome Mat” Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the winery.

• Zumba in the plaza. Claudia Soto hosts “Zumba Latin Nights in the Plaza” Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza.

• Play pickleball with The Center for ASD. The Center hosts its “Swingin’ for ASD Pickleball Mixer” Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Southern Oaks Golf Course.

• Listen to live music. Tell Runyan plays Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lost Oak Winery for “Wine Down with Tell Runyan.”

• Golf for The Center for ASD. The Center holds its “Golf ‘FORE’ ASD” tournament Friday at 6 a.m. at Southern Oaks Golf Course.

• Watch a movie at the library. “The Fall Guy” will play Friday at noon at the Burleson Public Library in the latest “Friday Afternoon Matinee.”

• Watch Centennial football. The Spartans begin district play against the Cleburne Yellow Jackets (0-4) Friday at 7 p.m. at Yellow Jacket Stadium.

  • Follow The Burleson Buzz on X (Twitter) and Facebook for live updates

• Sketch on a farm. Burleson Parks and Recreation hosts its “Saturday Morning Sketch Group” Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Chesapeake Building at Russell Farm Art Center.

• Make homecoming mums. The Burleson Public Library invites teens to “Homecoming Mini Mums” Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the library.

• Celebrate Hispanic Heritage. The city hosts its “Hispanic Heritage Festival” Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza.

• Listen to more live music. Velvet Love Box plays Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lost Oak Winery in “Concert on The Lawn with Velvet Love Box.”

• Dance in ties or tiaras. Burleson Elk Cheer hosts its “Ties & Tiaras Cheer Dance” Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Burleson High School.

• Tour a winery. Lost Oak Winery holds its Fall Open House Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the winery.

• Eat Maine lobster. Cousins is serving Maine lobster Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. at Lost Oak Winery.

• Listen to more live music. Aurora Bleu is playing Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Lost Oak Winery.

• Go to the homecoming parade. Burleson High School’s homecoming parade is Monday at 6 p.m. and begins at Hughes Middle School.

Share

Upcoming local-government meetings

• The Burleson Community and Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting Wednesday at 9 a.m. at City Hall. (Agenda)

• The Burleson Community Services Committee meets Wednesday at 11 a.m. at City Hall. (Agenda)

  Share

Hello readers! As always, thank you for reading another edition of The Burleson Buzz weekly newsletter.

I could use your help. While I’m not able to spend a lot of money or time on marketing campaigns, this newsletter isn’t reaching as many people. So you sharing this newsletter and any other articles or sharing The Burleson Buzz in general is very important.

The more people subscribe to The Burleson Buzz, the more the publication can grow and expand coverage to bring more local news back to Burleson.

If you refer five people to subscribe to The Burleson Buzz, I’ll give you a free paid subscription for three months ($15 value). If you refer 10 people, that free paid subscription will be for six months ($30 value). And if you refer 15 or more people, you’ll have a free paid subscription for a year ($60 value).

Please share The Burleson Buzz with as many family members, friends, coworkers and neighbors as possible.

Refer a friend

Share The Burleson Buzz

Thank you in advance.
—Cody

Onto the news.

Subscribe now

City Council discusses poorly-rated roadways and project updates

Correction: This article has been edited to accurately report a quote from Burleson City Council member Larry Scott.

Brandon D. Crisp

BURLESON – The Burleson City Council discussed the city’s poorly-rated roadways and the projects the city’s updated Capital Improvement Program funds Monday at City Hall.

Burleson’s roadways scored a 69 on geology-data specialist Furgo’s 0-to-100 scale, according to assistant to the city manager Janalea Hembree’s Pavement Management Program presentation at the meeting.

14% of Burleson’s roadways are considered failed with 13% approaching failure, according to the presentation. 73% are in good or better condition.

Burleson’s concrete roads were assessed as an 83 while asphalt roads were at a 51, according to the presentation. 

The council will vote on what action to take in response to the Pavement Management Program results at a future meeting.

City staff’s recommendation to the council was to go with a scenario that’d increase the city’s operations and maintenance budget and result in Burleson’s roadways dropping to an overall 61.2 rating within 10 years to address failing roadways now while Burleson attempts to solidify further funding to see that rating increase in the future, Hembree said. 

“We keep getting complaints and even though we’re spending more money, we’re not going to be getting a better roadway until we vote and approve further funds,” Mayor Pro Tem Dan McClendon said at the meeting.

“We’re fighting roads that are failing while trying to fix roads that have already failed,” Council member Larry Scott said. “By the time we get those fixed, we’re gonna have that many more failed, if not more. We can’t afford to go up at this point—it’s too late for that. Trying to stay neutral would be a good goal.”

McClendon said he and deputy city manager Eric Oscarson “had a brief talk about why we can’t [increase funding] and why we’re stuck at the level we’re at.”

Burleson contracted Furgo in 2023 to assess its roadways. Furgo traveled approximately 567 lane miles of roadway within Burleson and collected detailed pictures and data about each roadway to assess their condition. 

The Pavement Management Program also allows the city to create a more detailed pavement life-cycle plan to extend the life of roads and allow them to be rated good or higher for a longer period, while decreasing the overall cost that would be spent on the roadway within its lifetime, according to Hembree’s presentation. 

With Burleson officially approving the fiscal-year 2024-2025 budget September 10, the city updated its Capital Improvement Program and the projects it will fund.

Read full article

Hernandez breaks 100 scrimmage yards in Elks’ loss to Summit

Cody O’Brien

MANSFIELD – Jaden Hernandez broke 100 yards from scrimmage and scored the Burleson Elks varsity football team’s only touchdown in a 35-10 loss to the Mansfield Summit Jaguars Friday at Vernon Newsom Stadium.

The junior receiver Hernandez caught five passes for 96 yards and a touchdown and ran for eight yards on one carry in the Elks’ loss.

Hernandez’s touchdown came on a 50-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Andrew Sparks to cut Summit’s lead over Burleson to 21-10 with 10:26 left in the third quarter.

Sparks completed four of eight pass attempts for 79 yards and the touchdown and ran for 38 yards on 12 carries.

Junior quarterback Cade McNeely replaced Sparks for most of the second half and completed six of 13 passes for 41 yards.

Burleson got an early takeaway as junior defensive back/wide receiver Jaden Flournoy grabbed an interception to end Summit’s first drive of the game and give the Elks the ball on their 3-yard line with 10:44 left in the first quarter. 

The turnover didn’t have much of an effect on Summit as they went on to outscore the Elks 21-3 in the first half.

Senior kicker Gavin Keine got the Elks on the board with a 26-yard field goal to bring the score to 14-3 with 7:08 left in the second quarter.

Burleson made the most of receiving the second-half kickoff as they scored on a four-play, 63-yard drive capped off by Spark’s 50-yard touchdown pass to Hernandez to make it a two-possession game. 

Read full article

Subscribe now

Burleson weather: Still hot with the highs decreasing to low 90s and lows decreasing to low 70s over the weekend and into early next week.

Property taxes are going up. At last week’s Burleson City Council meeting, the council officially approved raising property taxes and fees and discussed a Johnson County bond that could increase property taxes even more.

Jump to property taxes article

The Elks and Spartans lost. In a rare week where both the Elks and Spartans got to play at Burleson ISD Stadium, both teams lost, with Burleson’s loss being its first in district play against Seguin and Centennial’s coming at the hands of Ennis.

Jump to Elks recap

Jump to Spartans recap

News from other sources:

• Top A-Massage and Best Massage were forced to close, suspected of sex-trafficking

  Thanks for reading The Burleson Buzz, a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support this work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Hello readers! Thanks for reading this week’s edition of The Burleson Buzz Weekly Newsletter.
I’m trying something new this week, titling the newsletter “The Buzz in Burleson, September 18, 2024.” Normally I title the weekly newsletter something that rephrases one or more of the newsletter’s featured articles’ headlines, and I feel that may make readers think they’re reading the same content again, and I don’t want that.
How about that story from WFAA on Top A-Massage and Best Massage being forced to close? I always feel really guilty when I read stories like that about Burleson that I didn’t write or publish, but I have to remind myself I’m unfortunately not a full-time journalist yet and have to be okay reporting on what I’m able to outside my full-time job. In the spirit of keeping my readers as informed as possible, I’ll always share stories about our community regardless of who publishes them.
On the topic of stuff I did publish, I covered a game Friday for the first time in a while. Even though the home team lost, it was a lot of fun and felt good to be back in the press box. I’ll be in another press box Friday as I cover the Elks game against the Mansfield Summit Jaguars in Mansfield.
Thanks again for reading! Have a great rest of the week, Burleson!
—Cody

Onto the news.

Burleson increases property taxes

Brandon D. Crisp

BURLESON — The Burleson City Council approved increasing property taxes and fees and discussed a bond that’d further increase taxes Monday at City Hall.

Burleson’s property-tax rate is increasing for the first time since fiscal-year 2015-2016 to $.6627 in the 2024-2025 budget from $.6325 in the 2023-2024 budget.

This tax increase will raise over $4.38 million more than the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Approximately $1.25 million will come from new properties. 

Council member Alexa Boedeker asked deputy city manager Harlan Jefferson about wanting transparency on what the increased taxes pay for.

“Several city residents came to me and wanted to know why taxes are being raised and what they will be spent on,” Boedeker said at Monday’s meeting.

City manager Tommy Ludwig said there will be a large presentation outlining all potential changes and improvements to be bid on “at a future council meeting.”

The 2024-2025 budget includes a 2.25% growth of existing properties on their property tax revenue and a 3.69% increase on new properties.

The total assessed valuation of all properties within the City of Burleson for the 2023-2024 current fiscal year is around $6.7 billion, including certified and protested values but excluding any exemptions. 

The average Burleson home value, which is what the city bases its budget on, in Johnson County increased to $299,889 in fiscal-year 2023-2024 from $282,966 in 2022-23. Average Burleson homes in Tarrant County are around $286,000.

In the 2024-2025 budget, Burleson is focusing on having a high performing city organization, a dynamic and preferred city, a beautiful, safe and vibrant community and making Burleson a great place to live, Jefferson stated as he presented the budget to the council. 

Among the budget’s goals are making sure all the funds have a strong balance while being resilient and flexible to economic impacts, according to the presentation.

Burleson citizens’ top three concerns for the budget were streets and traffic control, police and fire, according to the results of 309 responses to the city’s survey posted on social media.

Council discusses county bond with Johnson County officials

Property taxes could continue to increase if Johnson County’s proposed bond passes in the November 5 election. Johnson County Commissioner Kenny Howell and other Johnson County officials discussed the bond with the council Monday.

Read full article

Jackson scores lone touchdown for Elks in loss to Seguin

Lonnie Freeman

BURLESON – Nate Jackson scored the Burleson Elks varsity football team’s only touchdown in a 39-7 loss to the Seguin Cougars Thursday at Burleson ISD Stadium.

The junior running back Jackson’s touchdown came on a one-yard rush to get the Elks on the board and bring the score to 25-7 in the second quarter.

Jackson ran for 38 yards and the touchdown on 16 carries in the loss.

Burleson head coach Phillip Tanner said Jackson is a resilient workhorse. 

Tanner also spoke highly of junior linebacker Donya Armstrong after the game. 

“[Armstrong] had a motor,” Tanner said. “He knows the game, great football IQ, and he makes things happen on the back end.”

Armstrong led the Elks with seven tackles.

Read full article

Spartans fall to Ennis despite Long’s 200-yard performance

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON – Despite Damien Long going off for 201 receiving yards, the Centennial Spartans varsity football team lost 45-30 to the Ennis Lions Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium.

Long caught six passes–including a 68-yard touchdown–for 201 yards in the loss. He also put Centennial in position to score multiple times–catching a 43-yard pass to put Centennial at Ennis’s 1-yard line, a 29-yard pass to put them at Ennis’s 7 and a 32-yard pass to put them at Ennis’s 22. 

Long’s 68-yard touchdown reception cut Ennis’s lead to 45-30 with 5:26 left in the fourth quarter. Ennis blocked Centennial’s extra-point attempt.

That was sophomore quarterback Jacob Torres’s only touchdown pass as he completed 17 of 38 passes for 312 yards and the touchdown and two interceptions in the loss. Torres also ran for 25 yards on six carries.

Following Long’s 43-yard reception from Torres that put Centennial on Ennis’s 1-yard line, junior running back Jaylon Walker scored on a one-yard rush to put the Spartans on the board and bring the score to 14-7 after junior kicker Jack Miller’s extra point in the second quarter.

Walker ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in the loss.

Read full article

Subscribe now

Both the Elks and Spartans won last week—giving the Elks their first win under new head coach Phillip Tanner and keeping the Spartans undefeated—but unfortunately we at The Burleson Buzz had to miss both games.

What The Buzz did cover—thanks to Ashton Nicks—was the Cleburne Railroaders’ first-round elimination from the playoffs after their historic regular season.

In non-sports content, Brandon Crisp brings you the latest from his series, “The People of Burleson,” featuring Burleson City Council member Victoria Johnson—who apparently wants to be a pilot.

Brandon will also be bringing us a recap of the last two city council meetings—where the council finalized the latest budget and raised property taxes—later.

I’m no longer celebrating birthdays or going out of town so I expect to be covering at least one football game myself every week for the rest of the season—starting with Centennial’s game against Ennis at Burleson ISD Stadium Friday—while Lonnie Freeman continues to cover Elks football.

I really appreciate you reading this newsletter. Enjoy!
—Cody

Railroaders fall in division series to end historic season

Ashton Nicks

CLEBURNE and CHICAGO — After finishing the regular season with the best record in the league, the Cleburne Railroaders lost to the Chicago Dogs in the East Division Series for the second straight year.

Subscribe now

Chicago (55-45 in the regular season) beat Cleburne (60-40) two games to one in the best-of-three opening round of the 2024 Wolff Cup Playoffs. Cleburne lost games two and three in Cleburne after winning game-one in Chicago.

The American Association’s best regular-season team, the Railroaders had reason for optimism entering the 2024 Wolff Cup Playoffs matched up with a familiar foe, division-rival Chicago—who Cleburne beat eight times in 12 regular-season games in 2024. 

The reasons for optimism grew when Cleburne won game-one 6-3 Wednesday in Chicago behind a good performance from starting pitcher Johnathon Tripp.

Read full article

Share The Burleson Buzz

The People of Burleson: Victoria Johnson

Brandon D. Crisp

Burleson City Council member Victoria Johnson is wildly active within the Burleson community and is dedicated to making sure that the city and everyone around her is successful. She’s lived in Burleson most of her life after moving here at the age of five and only moving away temporarily for college. 

On a normal day for Johnson when she’s not getting her kids ready for school or doing chores around the house, she spends a lot of time in meetings for both her place on the city council and her role in the North Central Texas Council of Governments, where she currently serves as the Vice President. She also volunteers in the art room and in physical education and participates in the Parent Teacher Organization at The Academy of Nola Dunn–where her two children attend school–and participates in the Rotary Club.

Brad Allard, a former Burleson High School teacher of Johnson and current host of the Mr. Allard’s Neighborhood podcast, says Johnson is a “wonderful” person who’s “devoted to her family and to this community.”

“[Johnson] has always been deeply interested in government and policy,” Allard said. “When she was a student in my classes at BHS, she was very much invested in learning about how to make government work and how to develop the best policies. She was, and is, a very bright and mature young woman. Plus she’s devoted to her family and to this community.”

This community is what Johnson loves most about Burleson. 

Read full article

Share The Burleson Buzz

How about that Boot Bowl Friday? Based on the traffic, I assume I was the only one in Burleson not at the game (I was celebrating my wife’s birthday). Lonnie Freeman covered the Spartans’ 28-7 win over the Elks for The Buzz.

While the Spartans will look to stay unbeaten against the Sam Houston Texans, the Elks will look to earn their first win under new head coach Phillip Tanner against the Cleburne Yellow Jackets Friday. I’ll be in Port Aransas for a family vacation this weekend, but Lonnie will be covering Burleson’s game again. *If you know someone who’d like to cover Centennial’s game in Arlington for The Buzz, please let me know.*

It may seem taboo to root for Cleburne in a week the Elks face the Yellow Jackets, but our local professional baseball team the Cleburne Railroaders are playing in the playoffs this week after finishing the regular season with the best record in the league. Ashton Nicks brings us a preview of the East Division Series rematch between Cleburne and the Chicago Dogs—who eliminated the Railroaders last year—along with what led to Cleburne’s success in 2024.

Stay tuned for a recap of Tuesday’s special City Council meeting—where the council discussed increasing property taxes—from Brandon Crisp.

In more personal news, my wife and I dropped our son off at pre-school for the first time Tuesday. Boy, did that suck. He’s young enough to be excited for school, and I’m excited for him to become even more of a member of the Burleson community that I made all my friends in, but I’m just not comfortable with how big he’s getting.

Anyway, thanks again for reading The Burleson Buzz. Onto the news!
—Cody

Torres accounts for three touchdowns as Spartans beat Elks 28-7 in 2024 Boot Bowl

Lonnie Freeman

BURLESON – Jacob Torres accounted for three touchdowns to lead the Centennial Spartans varsity football team to a 28-7 victory over the crosstown-rival Burleson Elks in the 2024 Boot Bowl Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium.

Subscribe now

In his first game starting for varsity, the sophomore quarterback Torres completed seven of 17 pass attempts for 86 yards and two touchdown passes and rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

“For the first game he did some really good things,” Centennial head coach Kyle Geller said after the win. “He also did some things that he’ll learn from.  He’s a very smart kid and he’ll learn from film.”

Torres scored on a two-yard run to cap off a nine-play 65-yard drive and tie the game 7-7 with 10:08 left in the second quarter after Burleson scored the first touchdown of the game.

Burleson’s touchdown came on sophomore quarterback Andrew Sparks’ three-yard run that gave the Elks a 7-0 lead with 7:29 left in the first. Sparks completed four of eight passes for 83 yards and threw two interceptions and ran for 76 yards and the touchdown on 14 carries.

Read full recap

Share The Burleson Buzz

Rematch: Railroaders to face Chicago in division series again

Ashton Nicks

CLEBURNE – The 2024 Wolff Cup Playoffs schedule is set with the Cleburne Railroaders set to face the Chicago Dogs in the best-of-three East Division Series.

This series is a rematch of the 2023 East Division Series in which Chicago (55-45 in 2024) beat Cleburne two games to one. This year’s Railroader’s are much improved, going from a team that finished under .500 in 2023 to the best record in the American Association in 2024.

Read full article

Subscribe now

This week, the Buzz in Burleson has to be the 2024 Boot Bowl between the Burleson Elks and Centennial Spartans. This game, despite being a non-district game while the schools find themselves in different districts for some reason, is typically the biggest of the season for the community, but I find this year’s battle for The Boot even more interesting as it will be the Elks’ first game under new head coach Phillip Tanner and the Spartans’ first game without their famous option-based offense as they transition to a more “conventional” offense around their sophomore starting quarterback.

Down Wilshire, or 174, or Main Street, the Cleburne Railroaders have played their final home series of the 2024 regular season, a season in which they’re seeking the best record in the American Association for the first time ever. Ashton Nicks gives us the latest on the Railroaders’ historic season, which includes the team dropping its final home series to a division rival.

Stay tuned for The Burleson Buzz’s first coverage of a game this season when Lonnie Freeman—not I as I will be celebrating my wife’s birthday (happy early birthday, Lover)—covers the Boot Bowl Friday at 7 p.m.

I’ll be publishing another feature article—this one on the guy who walks around Burleson dressed as Spider-Man—in September along with regular Burleson and Centennial high-school football coverage from Lonnie and me, more on the Railroaders from Ashton and some Burleson City Council meeting recaps from Brandon Crisp.

Enjoy the newsletter!—Cody

The 2024 Boot Bowl between Burleson and Centennial begins new eras for both schools

Cody O’Brien

BURLESON – The cross-town rival Burleson Elks and Centennial Spartans varsity football teams will face off Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium in the 2024 Boot Bowl as both programs begin new eras.

The Boot Bowl will be the Elks’ first game under new head coach Phillip Tanner. It will be the Spartans’ first game running an offense other than the option-based offense the team has built its reputation on since 2014.

Over the course of the rivalry game Friday, Tanner said he wants to show the Burleson community that the Elks are ready to be a tough team that plays with grit.

“That’s one game that when we walk off that field–win, lose or draw–the other team is going to say ‘That’s a tough team,’” Tanner said.

On the other side of the field, Centennial Spartans head coach Kyle Geller expects Tanner to have the Elks playing hard. “That’s [Tanner’s] reputation,” Geller said.

Tanner’s establishing culture at Burleson

Tanner’s reputation indeed precedes him as he’s harped on building a tough, gritty, strong team since Burleson introduced him as head coach in April.

“Every time you interview me, I’m going to say the same thing about getting stronger,” Tanner said.

Tanner’s been establishing that culture with the Elks since he was hired. What’s gone into that has been consistency, clarity and showing up for and pushing the players. His goal is to make Elks Football a sustainable program, which he thinks starts with him at the top.

“To be able to come in as a head coach and just build it brick by brick, day by day, rep by rep,” Tanner said.

Consistency across town

Watching a coach build a reputable football program is something Burleson is familiar with. It just happened most recently across town at Centennial under Geller–the only head coach the Spartans have had since the football program began in 2010.

The Elks haven’t had the same consistency at head coach. Tanner will be the Elks’ third coach in three years. 

The Spartans’ consistency in their coaching staff–not just with Geller but also defensive coordinator Blake Meyer, who’s been running the defense for all of Centennial’s existence–is something Tanner wants at Burleson. 

What Geller believes has allowed him to coach the Spartans for so long is a combination of the team’s success and his desire to remain a part of the school and community he loves and has become attached to.

“First of all, it’s just the kids and the community and the people that I work for,” Geller said. “I just can’t imagine a better situation that fits me. They’re the best folks that I’ve ever worked for.”

“It’s nice. I’m lucky. I’m blessed,” Geller said of being the Spartans’ head coach. “I thank God for that. When I go to church on Sunday, I thank God for that. I literally get in the kneeler and that’s what I do.”

A key to the winning culture Geller has helped the Spartans establish is their run-it-down-your-throat option-based offense they’ve run since 2014. That won’t be the offense they run in 2024. 

Continue reading

Share

Railroaders lose four of six to division rival in final regular-season homestand

Ashton Nicks

CLEBURNE — The Cleburne Railroaders finished off their final home stand of the regular season losing four of six against the team chasing them in the standings, the Kane County Cougars.

Subscribe now

Cleburne (56-37) punched their ticket to the 2024 playoffs last week and are in first place of the East Division—holding a four-game lead over Kane County (52-41)—going into the final week of the regular season.

Jalen Miller (3-3) took the loss in each of his two starts last week—the series-opening 8-10 loss to Kane County August 20 and the 6-8 loss in the series finale Sunday. He surrendered 11 runs in nine innings pitched across the two starts. Miller has a 4.86 ERA in 11 starts in 2024.

Luke Boyd (7-1) got the win for Cleburne in Wednesday’s 8-0 victory, pitching six and 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing just three hits while striking out seven batters. Cleburne’s winningest pitcher Boyd has a 3.72 ERA in 2024. 

Jonathan Tripp (6-2) took the loss—surrendering two earned runs in six innings—as Kane County beat Cleburne 5-1 Thursday. Tripp’s four strikeouts bring his team-leading total to 78 in 106 innings pitched in 2024.

Dylan Bice (3-1) earned his fourth save of the season (all in August) as he struck out three batters in a scoreless 1 and 1/3 inning as Cleburne beat Kane County 6-5 Friday for their second and final win of the series. Bice made three appearances in the series, allowing one run off one hit and striking out six in three and 1/3 innings. Bice has a 2.84 ERA in 25 and 1/3 innings in 2024.

Shed Long led Cleburne with nine hits last week as he went 9-for-25 and had three-hit performances in the first two games of the series. Long—Cleburne’s primary leadoff hitter—is batting .313 with nine home runs and 72 RBIs in 2024.

Hill Alexander went 8-for-25—including three multi-hit games—with a home run last week. Alexander is batting .304 with 14 home runs and 68 RBIs in 2024.

American Association rookie Korey Holland recorded six hits for Cleburne against Kane County last week. Holland is batting .312 in 52 games in 2024.

The magic number for Cleburne to clinch the East Division is down to two going into the final week of the regular season. Cleburne looks to finish with the best record in the American Association for the first time in team history.

Cleburne will now travel to Nebraska to take on the Lincoln Saltdogs (35-58) in a three-game series before finishing the regular season in Sioux City with a four-game series against the Explorers (46-47).

Subscribe now