Most memorable Burkburnett games covered

A win over Argyle, a breakthrough playoff victory and a last-second field goal top the list

Author’s Note: As we have throughout the fall, I’m writing about the best games I’ve ever covered for each area school. This week it is Burkburnett’s turn.

My first year covering high school football games for the Times Record News was in 2002. I was a junior in college looking to break into the industry, and Nick Gholson provided me with an opportunity to prove myself.

The journalism profession is obviously different now. Back then the TRN would get to 4-5 games every Friday, and you’d read full recaps in Saturday’s edition. I was usually covering the fifth-best game, and I’ll be the first to admit there rarely are five good games on a Friday night schedule.

They often kept me close because I had to drive back to the office to send my story (this was before you could email using Wi-Fi). I got to see a lot of Burkburnett that year, which wasn’t a good thing.

I covered Iowa Park beating the Bulldogs 28-7. A couple weeks later, Vernon nearly doubled them up (52-28). And then in a district game against Wichita Falls High School, Burkburnett got a 56-0 shellacking.

Two things I remember from that night. First, I had computer problems, and my story didn’t make the first edition of the Saturday paper (the TRN used to have an area edition and then “make over” the pages for a city one). Second, Burkburnett coach Bill Dalke was steaming mad at the time, accusing the Coyotes of running up the score. I don’t remember anything from that game, but I remember a fired-up postgame interview.

Burkburnett went 0-10 during that 2002 season, averaging 8.3 points per game and giving up 41.2 per night. A 41-8 score doesn’t sound so bad now, but you’ve got to remember this was before the spread took over and offenses pushed tempo.

I haven’t covered Burkburnett a ton since (about 20 games) because there have been stretches where they haven’t been super competitive, and back when I was on the TRN area beat, I attended the best games.