Burdine twins share one last ride as Aledo baseball chases state championship
For most student-athletes, a high school sports career is a fleeting chapter — one final run with childhood teammates before life pulls everyone in different directions.
For the Burdine brothers, that journey has been shared from day one, doubling the memories, the milestones, and the meaning.
At Aledo High School, where athletics are ingrained in the community, Blake and Brooks Burdine have made their mark. The twin seniors have starting roles on a Bearcat Baseball team that’s chasing history — Aledo faces McKinney North in game one of the best-of-three Class 5A Division I state semifinal series on Thursday at Dallas Baptist University. Game two is on Friday.
Blake and Brooks have walked the same path — through four years at Aledo and for every season of life before that. The UIL baseball playoffs mark not just the end of a season but likely the final time Blake and Brooks will ever wear the same jersey, take the same field and chase the same goal — side by side.
And shortly after, they’ll go their separate ways and leave for college. It’s been a last ride for several reasons, which makes Brooks determined to end their careers with a victory.
“We’ve managed to get this far, and Blake and I have played our entire lives,” Brooks said. “So, we would like to end it on a high note. We’re very confident in our team and our abilities. If we just go out and execute, I think we can get it done.”
For the Burdine brothers, having a twin meant never facing anything alone — from playing backyard catch to dealing with playoff pressure under stadium lights. As Brooks put it, they had a “built-in best friend.”
“We never had to really force making friends, and just doing everything with him has been awesome,” Brooks said. “Especially this year, just getting out on the baseball field, one last time together, has been really cool.”
Throughout their lives, Brooks and Blake have been in constant friendly competition. That drive to compete started developing at a young age and ultimately became an advantage in athletics, according to Brooks.
“Everything I do is competitive,” Brooks said. “Who can eat the fastest? Who can fold their laundry the quickest?”
Blake said their relationship made them the most competitive kids in town.
“A lot of people would probably say we took youth sports way too seriously,” Blake said. “That’s just because we were just determined to be better than each other.”
The work ethic came in handy at Aledo High School, a place with extremely successful athletics where every opportunity is hard-earned.
“It’s one of the most competitive schools in all of Texas, and so you have to show up every day, and you have to be ready to work,” Brooks said. “It’s one of the deals where you have a spot at the beginning of the year, and you got to keep fighting for it, and you got to win the job every day.”
The Burdine family is familiar with seizing opportunities. Landry Burdine, Blake and Brooks’ father, joined TCU football as an invited walk-on and served as a team captain during the 1998 Sun Bowl.
“He taught Brooks and I to compete,” Blake said. “He taught us not to take a backseat to anybody. … Just work hard and you’ll get an opportunity. It’s answered prayers. Continuing to pursue a relationship with the Lord has really helped us in the recruiting process.”
For every athlete and student, the uncertainty of graduation can be daunting. Both Brooks and Blake struggled to find the right opportunity to continue their athletic careers, but eventually, they both found their next step.
Brooks chose to focus on baseball and will continue his baseball career at the United States Air Force Academy. Brooks never imagined joining the military, and now, he is confident it will set him up for success.
“They expressed a lot of interest in me, all four coaches,” Brooks said. “And so, I immediately looked into it, and I figured out that being a part of the Air Force Academy and the community out there — it’s unbelievable.”
Blake took a different path and will continue his athletic career playing football at Trinity University.
“Probably within 15 minutes I was on campus, I kind of knew it was the place for me,” Blake said. “A lot of answered prayers, just for God to make it clear where I was supposed to be. The coaching staff — they’re really special people. … If I get to get a degree like that and play football, which is a sport I love, then I’m all in.”
Blake has had a versatile and eventful high school career, competing at a high level in three sports. He reached the Class 5A football state championship, qualified for the state track meet, and now, he’ll complete the trifecta with a trip to the baseball state semifinals.
Juggling all activities has been a challenge, but it has been worthwhile for Blake, who said lasting bonds and relationships were made.
“I’m friends with everybody at the whole school because of just the connections made throughout three sports,” Blake said. “I think we have the best coaches in the state of Texas, which really means you have the best coaches in the country.”
Blake earned All-District football honors and helped Aledo, the UIL’s most storied program, capture two state titles. He had the opportunity to experience many facets of the student-athlete experience as a Bearcat.
“Then the whole town shuts down for every sporting event,” Blake said. “So, you get to go play in front of so many fans. And it’s just a privilege that not many people get. And so I’m super grateful for the opportunity to go and play in front of my city every week.”
With only a short time left in orange and black, Blake said he’ll savor every remaining moment as a Bearcat. As the final chapter with his brother closes, he said he’s not playing for himself. Blake is playing for Brooks, who he said has led the team for years.
“Nobody is more deserving,” Blake said. “I just want to do everything in my power to win for Brooks and get him that ring at the end of the season.”
This story was originally published May 28, 2025 at 4:01 PM.
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