Lake View Chiefs Take on Burnet, Hoping to Get Back to Winning Ways

SAN ANGELO, TX — The 4-1 Lake View Chiefs dropped their first game of the season last week but have a chance to get back on track Friday against the 1-4 Burnet Bulldogs.

The Chiefs' perfect start ended last week to the Levelland Lobos, 40-33. Down by 20 late in the third quarter, the Chiefs nearly pulled off a last-second victory, showing they are going to fight until the very end.

Against Burnet, Lake View could have a good opportunity to get back in the win column.

With Chris Alvizo under center, Lake View has been a different animal. He has gone 120-of-165 for 1,402 yards, 17 touchdowns, and has only thrown three interceptions. Running back Izaiah Rios has also been a difference maker, rushing for 712 yards and 12 TDs.

The receiving corps has made the most of a rushing threat in Rios and Alvizo as signal caller. Seven Chiefs have over 100 receiving yards, and seven receivers at least have one touchdown.

Braylon White has caught 29 passes for 381 yards and four scores, and Nick Leyva is a close second with 24 receptions for 296 yards and one TD. DJ Munoz, Chris Rodela, Calvin Whitfield, Gabriel Alvarez, and Rios each have between 101 and 184 yards, but Cristian Esparza might be the most dangerous with three receptions for three TDs and 70 yards.

The War Party Defense is doing a good job affecting opposing offenses. They average two takeaways and one sack a game. They will have to do a better job at getting off the field and holding opponents out of the end zone. Over the last two weeks, the Chiefs have given up an average of 44.5 points, though Lake View still beat Lubbock High 50-49.

The good thing for the Chiefs is that Burnet has had some trouble putting up points. Over the season, the Bulldogs have averaged 16.8 points a game. Burnet has two backs that have been productive this season in Bryan Johnson and Josiah Coronado who have 680 yards and seven touchdowns combined on the ground.

A couple different players have taken snaps for Burnet, but sophomore Fisher Powell has put up the most numbers, going for 30-of-71 for 363 yards, three TDs and six INTs.

Matthew Williams has been the go-to receiver for the Bulldogs with 14 receptions for 281 yards and two TDs.

The Burnet defense could be a problem for the Pride of the Northside. Riley Howell and Rigo Valdez has 3.5 and 3 sacks, respectively. The Bulldogs also have forced seven fumbles, recovered six, and have three interceptions.

The panic button should not even be in consideration. The Chiefs have only dropped one game against a good opponent and have a couple of games they could win before the start of district. Lake View is still averaging an incredible 43.6 points a game with their lowest scoring total being 33. 

Lake View takes on Burnet at San Angelo Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3.