It took Liberty Hill a minute to adapt when former assistant David Seaborn was tapped to become the Panthers’ new head coach. Liberty Hill (6-0, 7-2) dropped its first game to a powerful 6A Cibolo Steele squad, then stubbed its toe against a now-surging Rouse team in overtime to start the season 0-2.
Then they became Liberty Hill again.
The Panthers have ridden their ingrained-since-toddlerhood Slot-T offense to some 53.2 points-per-game and an eye-popping 498.6 yards per game. Literally 96% of those yards are on the ground. (Panther quarterbacks collectively are 4-14, 168 yards, 3 TD, INT. For the season). Junior Pierre Dylan Belinga (92-1043, 11.3 YPC, 15 TD) has wracked up the most yardage, but senior Bryce Muchaw (102-705, 6.9 YPC, 9 TD), senior Preston Benefield (69-718, 10.4 YPC, 11 TD) and many others have all powered the offense.
The Panthers score so fast and so often, it puts a huge strain on the defense. On paper, Liberty Hill has given up 20.6 points per game – but that number has plummeted to 13 PPG since those first two losses. Seniors Orrin Cole (8.4 TPG, 14 TFL, 2 Sacks) and Kaden Cockburn (7.9 TPG, 10.0 TFL, 2 Sacks) have anchored the Panther defense.
Bastrop has overwhelmed opponents with a balanced offense and a suffocating defense. Coach Jake Griedl’s Bears (6-0, 9-0) have averaged an astonishing 63 points and 485.3 yards per game. The Bears have scored 70+ points three times, 60+ points four times, and scored “just” 55 and 48 points in their first two games. While impressive in its own right, consider: most games have essentially been over by halftime – with a couple of running clocks in effect – meaning the bulk of those numbers came in a little over one half in each game.
Junior quarterback Weston Nielsen (136-204, 2,446, 37 TD, 6 INT) has guided the Bastrop offensive juggernaut, adding 317 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns and catching a TD pass for good measure. Senior Gary Jefferson Jr. (102-1,082, 10.6 YPC, 20 TD) has punished opposing defenses on the ground and is also the second leading receiver (26-406, 6 TDs). Juniors Dallas Crescenzo (29-660, 7 TD), Diego Rangel (20-424, 5 TD) and Zac Wilkinson (33-430, 11 TD), and senior Brent Carter (24-488, 9 TD) have all been on the receiving end of Nielsen’s throws.
As with Liberty Hill, Bastrop’s defense is on the field a lot because their offense is so efficient. Even so, the Bears’ defense has allowed just 16.7 points-per-game. (Defensive stats were not available at press time).
It’s been a while since either team has faced stiff opposition. What better way to close out the season – and get ready for the playoffs – than to face off against a powerful foe with a district title on the line. That will be the case when Bastrop meets Liberty Hill in our VYPE Austin Central Texas Game of the Week.
What: Liberty Hill vs. Bastrop
When: 6:45 Pregame, 7:00 Kickoff
Where: Panther Stadium, Liberty Hill HS
Bastrop Broadcast: Jake Herman, Harley Hudson
Liberty Hill Broadcast: Trevor Hargrove, Matt Lorenz
Watch: https://www.vype.com/7-30pm-football-bastrop-vs-liberty-hill
Also watch on the KVUE+ mobile app.
Photo By VYPE Bradley Collier
