Posted Sept. 16, 2026

BURLESON — Under the glowing stadium lights last Friday night, September 4, local gridiron rivalry took center stage as the Burleson High School Elks hosted the Burleson Centennial High School Spartans at Burleson ISD Stadium for the annual Battle of the Boot.

When the final whistle blew, the Centennial Spartans emerged victorious with a 28-3 win, reclaiming the coveted traveling boot trophy after Burleson High School held the honors last year. With the victory, the Spartans moved to a 2-0 record on the young season. While the scoreboard reflected a double-digit margin, the contest was a physical, hard-fought affair that tested the discipline and resolve of both Burleson programs.

Early Lead for the Defending Champions:

The Elks, entering as the defending Boot champions following last season’s victory, drew first blood in the opening quarter. They ignited their home crowd with a successful field goal to take an early 3-0 lead, providing an initial surge of momentum for Burleson High and setting an intense tone early in the matchup.

However, the Spartans responded with steady pressure. Capitalizing on key field positions, Centennial answered back to take the lead and built momentum across subsequent drives, putting up 28 unanswered points to secure the cross-town victory and bring the Boot trophy back 

to Centennial.

A Gritty, Penalty-Heavy Contest

Neither team walked away with a pristine stat sheet. The game proved to be a grueling, high-penalty contest, as frequent yellow flags repeatedly interrupted the flow of play for both sides. Pre-snap infractions, holding calls, and physical penalties tested the patience and composure of both coaching staffs throughout the night.

Despite the stoppage in momentum, both squads battled through the adversity:

The Burleson Elks, led by head coach Phillip Tanner, showed immense fight on defense, battling through tough penalties and maintaining high effort against a physical Spartan front.

The  Burleson  Centennial Spartans, led by head coach Blake Meyer, demonstrated resilience under pressure, overcoming self-inflicted mistakes to  execute crucial scoring drives when opportunities arose.

Community Spirit Inside the Gates

While there were no food trucks or tailgating events set up outside the stadium before kickoff, the community energy was fully alive inside the gates. Concession stands stayed busy all evening, serving up classic game-day food and drinks to packed stands of dedicated families, students, and local fans.

During halftime, the atmosphere remained vibrant as both high schools’ marching bands, drill teams, and cheer squads delivered high-energy performances, showcasing the deep level of student talent across Burleson ISD.

Looking Ahead

With the Battle of the Boot concluded, both teams turn their focus to refining their play as non-district action continues. Cleaning up penalties and tightening execution will be top priorities on both practice fields this week.

Centennial will look to build on its undefeated start as it prepares for Ennis before entering District 8-5A Division I play, while the Elks focus on adjustments to capture their first win of the season. Regardless of the outcome or who holds the Boot trophy year to year, Friday night proved once again how deeply the city of Burleson supports both of its high school programs.

BN-E