After becoming just the second golfer in school history to win a regional championship last month, Little Cypress-Mauriceville sophomore Jack Burke has the state championship within sight.
Burke shot an even-par 71 on Monday afternoon at Plum Creek Golf Course in Kyle, good enough for a one-stroke lead following first-round action in the Class 4A state tournament. James Perry of Salado holds second place after shooting a one-over-par 72.
Burke was the only LC-M player to end Monday in the top 50 out of 72 total players. The Bears qualified for state as a team, but sit in last place out of 12 squads.
Jack Tindel recorded the next-best score for LC-M with an 88. Wyatt Wozniak shot a 91, followed by Mason Sterling (96) and Travis Love (101).
Burke, the back-to-back District 22-4A champion, will tee off for the final round on Tuesday morning with a state title at stake.
Another Southeast Texas team started play on Monday in the Class 3A state tournament at Grey Rock Golf Course in Austin.
Orangefield shot a combined score of 362, finishing the first round 11th out of 12 teams. Hunter Christman was the Bobcats' top performer, shooting a nine-over-par 81 to end the day in 17th place individually.
The rest of Orangefield's first-round results are as follows: Logan Risinger (85), Ryan Braxton (93), Kyle Pickard (103) and Chase Broussard (109).