BURLESON, Texas — Burleson High snapped a three-game losing streak in the Battle of the Boot with a statement win Friday night, defeating Centennial 45-21 at Burleson ISD Stadium.
The Elks jumped out early, forcing a first-quarter safety and building a 22-0 halftime lead before closing out their rivals to reclaim the traveling trophy for the first time since 2020.
“This was a statement game. It was an identity game,” head coach Phillip Tanner said. “Bringing that Boot back to the city means so much to these kids. It’s about them.”
Burleson’s defense controlled the first half, creating turnovers and momentum for the offense. By the time Centennial scored late in the fourth quarter, the Elks had already established control.
Tanner credited his team’s ability to start fast but noted the need for improvement. “We’ve got to close the game, lock in the game,” he said. “That’s something we’ll take back to work on next week.”
Quarterback Andrew Sparks Jr., who wore No. 1 on the field, said the rivalry victory was months in the making. “It was amazing,” Sparks said. “We’d been anticipating this game since last time we played them. We worked all offseason, and we came back and did what we needed to do.”
Sparks pointed to the team’s “24-hour rule” in moving forward. “We win tonight, we wake up the next day ready to go for the next opponent next week,” he said. “We’re ready to go.”
Senior quarterback and free safety Cade McNeely, who helped lead the defense, said winning the Boot again was especially meaningful for the upperclassmen.
“It feels great. Haven’t done it since my freshman year — really my eighth grade year,” McNeely said, clutching the trophy. “It feels good. It’s back home now.”
McNeely echoed the importance of Tanner’s “24-hour success” philosophy. “We go to the next morning, we restart, and we get back to work,” he said. “We put our hard work and dedication into this, and to come out here and win as a senior, it means everything.”
Both Sparks and McNeely pointed to the atmosphere at Burleson ISD Stadium, with the Elks’ student section erupting after the opening safety and never letting up.
“The student section was going crazy since the first safety,” Sparks said. “It means a lot.”
McNeely added, “They gave us so much love from the very first quarter all the way to the end of the game.”
Burleson improves to 1-0 with the win, while Centennial falls to 0-1. For the Elks, the Boot is finally back in their possession — and, as Tanner reminded his players, the next challenge is already waiting.