Elks fall to Timberview in another close game
Timberview holds onto early lead to win despite being shut out by Burleson in second half
BURLESON – Despite shutting out the Mansfield-Timberview Wolves in the second half, the Burleson Elks lost 14-10 Friday at Burleson ISD Stadium.
Elks head coach Phillip Tanner said the defense is playing well enough to win and Burleson (2-3 in district, 3-4 overall) has to get better on offense.
“Our defense has been playing well enough all year to win football games, so we’ve got to find a way, find somehow to coach our guys better on the offensive side of the football,” Tanner said.
This was the fourth game of 2024 Burleson held its opponent to 14 points or less. “That’s just who our defense is,” Tanner said.
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Timberview (3-3 in district, 4-4 overall) struck first as senior running back Jaylon Woods scored the game’s first touchdown on a 44-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Anthony Desanto to cap off a three-play, 45-yard opening drive to give Timberview a 7-0 lead with 11:02 left in the first quarter.
On top of the one 44-yard touchdown reception, Woods rushed for a game-high 73 yards on 14 carries to lead the game with 114 yards from scrimmage.
Burleson got on the board as senior kicker Gavin Keine kicked a 30-yard field goal to cut Timberview’s lead to 7-3 with 5:55 left in the first quarter.
Setting up the field goal was Burleson taking over on its own 22-yard line after a 10-yard punt from Timberview that followed Burleson junior punter Brayden Bruder punting the ball 50 yards to set Timberview up on its own three-yard line after Timberview held Burleson to a three-and-out on its first drive.
After Timberview took over at its own 32-yard line after Burleson’s kickoff, Burleson junior defensive back Jaden Flournoy intercepted a pass on fourth-and-six and returned it 30 yards to give Burleson the ball on Timberview’s 41-yard line with about five minutes left in the first quarter.
After forcing another Burleson three-and-out, Timberview took over on its own 22-yard line.
Timberview’s Cedric Portley scored on a two-yard rush to cap off a 12-play 78-yard drive and extend Timberview’s lead to 14-3 with 8:37 left in the second quarter.
The junior running back Portley rushed for 34 yards and the touchdown on nine carries.
Burleson made it a one-score game as sophomore quarterback Andrew Sparks completed a one-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Justin Jordan to cap off a 13-play, 63-yard drive and cut Timberview’s lead to 14-10 with 5:35 left in the third quarter.
Sparks completed five of 15 passes for 44 yards and the touchdown with an interception and led Burleson with 60 rushing yards on 19 carries.
Timberview sophomore quarterback Anthony Desanto completed five of 12 passes for 94 yards and the touchdown pass to Woods with an interception.
The game ended after Burleson turned the ball over by spiking the ball on fourth-and-six, seeming to think they could get a play off.
Tanner said the fourth-down spike was due to a lack of communication that he takes full responsibility for.
Tanner said he takes the blame for the offense’s struggles and Burleson has to work on being disciplined on offense.
“The offense out there, they’re giving us everything they’ve got” Tanner said. “It’s us as coaches to put those guys in position to succeed and win football games.”
This was the fourth–and second straight–game of Burleson’s that came down to two or fewer possessions. Tanner said he’s “extremely proud” of his players and coaching staff for how the team has kept games close.
“We’re going to play with grit, and we’re going to fight,” Tanner said. “We’re going to have the opportunity to win the football game every fourth quarter, and we’ve shown that. We’ve shown that all year against the best.”
“It gives [Burleson’s young players] confidence that [they] can go play with anybody,” Tanner said. “Anybody, anywhere, anytime we can go play with the best of them.”
Burleson will look to bounce back when it faces the Argyle Eagles (4-0, 5-1) Friday at 7 p.m. at Argyle Eagle Stadium.
Timberview will look to maintain momentum as it returns home to face the Grapevine Mustangs (0-5, 0-7) at 7 p.m. in Mansfield.