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ALL IN: Liberty Hill one win away from returning to State Championship
At the end of every UIL football season 12 teams get to raise up the trophy and proclaim themselves champions. However with 12 winners, that also means there are 12 runner-ups. One of those teams that finished second last season? Liberty Hill. The Panthers came up short against South Oak Cliff last season 23-14.
To get back to AT&T stadium that meant retooling a defense that only returned 3 starters. But the defense has found it's gear as the season has gone on and is heating up at the right time.
"This wasn't a young defense but an inexperienced one to start the year," said head coach Kent Walker. "The defense has done a great job, the defensive coaches have done a great job and the kids have stepped up."
Helping them along the way has been their offense, which once again has flourished under the Slot-T offensive scheme.
"Let's start with the offensive line, I'm not sure they get enough credit," coach Walker said. "They are a really good unit and I can't say enough about the offensive line. We had over 600 yards of offensive and a lot of that goes to our next man up mentality but some of that goes to our offensive line. They did a terrific job last week."
And while the offensive line is definitely a key to success for this offense, it can't work if the skill players can't make something happen with the holes the offensive line creates. And the quadruple headed monster of Reese Vickers, Joe Pitchford, Noah Long and Ben Barter have done just that while leading the Panthers to their 13-1 record.
"Throughout the year they (the running backs) have been fantastic for us," coach Walker said. ""It's been a great year overall offensively, over 6700 yards, and averaging almost 10 yards a run which is pretty impressive."
The improved defense and the vaunted Slot-T was on full display last week in their 63-43 win over Corpus Christi Flour Bluff.
"We had our hands full, we made a few adjustments and our kids responded really well and played a great second half," said coach Walker. "Our kids stepped up, they had a great second half. We created a few turnovers, the defense played well in the second half, creating 4 turnovers which was the difference in the game."
Now they turn their sights to Port Neches-Groves who defeated Fort Bend Marshall last week 29-21.
"Great football team. Very well coached," coach Walker said. "Coach Joseph in his first year there is doing a fantastic job. They've got a lot of size, they are a big football team and are good in all phases. They've got a talented receiving core, a talented quarterback and a big offensive line. We've got our work cut out but that's what it should be, it's the state semis."
With two games left to bring the state title back to Liberty Hill for the first time since 2007, the Panthers will continue to do what they've done all year: be all in.
"Our mantra this year has been ALL IN. We are all in all the time. That's been our go to rallying cry," said coach Walker. "We focus on us. We focus on getting better each week and each day."
And as to what to expect from the Panthers and their crowd this Friday at Katy's Legacy Stadium?
"We have a great community, I consider it to be the greatest in the state of Texas, we appreciate the support they give us each week and it's been an awesome run and let's see if we can keep this going, round five looking for six."
Post Thanksgiving Treat: Austin/San Antonio Teams Look to Advance to Regional Finals.
The Friday after Thanksgiving. Most people will be in lines trying to get the "best" Black Friday deals. Others will be watching to see if the US can try and get out of Group B in their matchup against England. But across Austin and San Antonio there will be 12 games taking place where Austin and San Antonio schools look to move on to the Regional Finals. We break down each game below.
HILL COUNTRY CHRISTIAN VS EMERY WEINER SCHOOL
Friday, November 25th, 1:30PM | Allen Academy, Bryan Texas
Hill Country Christian has been dominate this season with their lone loss coming against UIL school Jonesboro. Since then they've been winning by 40+ a game. Meanwhile Emery Weiner has had its share of close games but has been on fire as of late including last weeks 60-14 win over Lone Star North. Give me Hill Country Christian in this one.
LOGOS PREPARATORY ACADEMY VS VERITAS ACADEMY
Friday, November 25th, 7PM | Allen Academy, Bryan Texas
Veritas comes into this game with a 39-34 win over Satin Mary's Hall. They will look to defeat Logos Prep who comes into the game with a 47-12 win over Prince of Peace. This one should be a close one if you look at their similar opponent in Saint Mary's Hall.
ST. PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL VS SACRED HEART-MUENSTER
Friday, November 25th, 7:30PM | Robinson HS, Robinson Texas
St. Paul is looking to go for the 5--peat but standing in their way is Sacred Heart-Muenster. The Cardinals tested themselves in non-district and it has payed off to this point. But Sacred Heart comes in at 12-1 on the year and have looked dominate after their lone loss to Lubbock Christian. The Tigers were unable to defeat them in the championship game last season and will look to finally get their revenge, and may have the squad to do it.
HOLY CROSS OF SAN ANTONIO VS CYPRESS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Friday, November 25th, 7PM | Giddings HS, Giddings Texas
Of the private schools left, Holy Cross may have the best shot to get to the championship and win. Their lone loss so far is to Holy Cross of Louisiana and they have been dominate in their games against Texas opponents. To get to the championship game they will need to get past Cypress Christian after their impressive 44-14 win over Boerne Geneva last week.
FALLS CITY VS GRANGER
Friday, November 25th, 7PM | Matador Stadium, Seguin Texas
After a slow start, the Beavers have rattled off 7 wins in a row including playoff wins over Bremond (40-36) and Sabinal (29-20). Now to try and get back to the state championship they will need to defeat the Granger Lions who are 10-2 on the year. Freshman Braylon Johnson has been the key piece to the Beavers late success being the leading receiver and rusher on the team. This one should be a close game, but the Lions look to advance in this one.
POTH VS TAFT
Friday, November 25th, 6PM | Memorial Stadium, Victoria Texas
Poth is trying to get back to round 4 and beyond. To do so they will need to get past Taft. Their offense has continued to roll in the playoffs putting up 65 points in the bi-district round and 42 in the Area round. I said to start the playoffs that Poth has a good chance to make it to state this year, and I think they have a favorable matchup this Friday. Expect their offense to continue rolling in this one.
BOERNE VS PORT LAVACA CALHOUN
Friday, November 25th, 6PM | Indian Field, Jourdanton Texas
Boerne travels to Jourdanton to take on Port Lavaca Calhoun to take on the Sandcrabs. Jaxon Baize has continued to roll in the playoffs and I don't see him slowing down this week. The Greyhounds handled Pleasanton last week in the Area Round and if we go off similar opponents Boerne has to be the favorite in this one with Pleasanton defeating Calhoun in District play.
SOMERSET VS CALALLEN
Friday, November 25th, 3PM | Veterans Memorial Stadium, Beeville Texas
A lot of attention in 14-4A D1 naturally goes to Boerne as they have a team that could make the state championship this year. But Somerset is one of those sneaky teams trying to get to the Regional Finals for a potential rematch against Boerne. In their way is Calallen who is undefeated this year and has a new look about them. Under first year Head Coach, and longtime defensive coordinator for the team, Steve Campbell the Wildcats have become a more balanced attack after years of being a run first program. I don't see the Wildcats slowing down here and would not be surprised to see a Boerne vs Calallen game next week.
LAGO VISTA VS NAVARRO
Friday, November 25th, 1:30PM | Hutto Memorial Stadium, Hutto Texas
This is not a prediction, but a fact: a team from 13-4A D2 will make that State Semi-Finals. So far every single team from this district has won in the playoffs (more on that below). But that means for the next 2 weeks it is time for district rematches. First up is what may be the more competitive of these two rematches. In their game earlier in the year Lago Vista came away with a 42-21 victory, but I feel this one could be closer than that Week 7 matchup. Navarro has continued to improve their run game under the new UIL rules for blocking. This one could be as simple as not looking ahead to next weeks potential matchup against Wimberley where both teams almost had the win in the regular season.
WIMBERLEY VS JARRELL
Friday, November 25th, 6PM | Gupton Stadium, Cedar Park Texas
If you had asked the experts they probably wouldn't have had Jarrell in the 3rd round, but here they are after a 32-14 win over Devine in the Bi-district round and a 35-21 win over port Isabel in the Area round. Their main problem now? A rematch against district opponent Wimberley who they lost to 73-14 in Week 7. Wimberley has not slowed down since then under first year Sophomore Quarterback Cody Stoever and I don't see them slowing down here.
GEORGETOWN VS COLLEGE STATION
Friday, November 25th, 6PM | Waco ISD Stadium, Waco Texas
It is a 11-5A D1 rematch as Georgetown and College Station will battle it out in Waco on Friday. In their district matchup earlier in the Eagles dominated much of the game before a rally by the Cougars came up short. Both quarterback Noah Booras and Running Back Andrew Petter had massive games in that one as did Cade Corrcoran and Aydan Martinez-Brown for the Cougars. So just like in the first game, which defense is going to be able to make the stops when needed. While it is always hard to beat a good team twice, I like the Eagles to win here.
SMITHSON VALLEY VS FULSHEAR
Friday, November 25th, 1PM | Matador Stadium, Seguin Texas
Fulshear is only in its 6th year as a varsity program and this year not only won its first playoff game ever, but finds itself in the 3rd round with impressive wins over Sterling and A&M Consolidated . For Smithson Valley, it has been all business in their first year in 5A with their lone loss to 6A Harker Heights who is still in the playoffs themselves. The Rangers are coming off wins over Cedar Park and Manvel and now face another 10-5A D1 team in Fulshear. This one is going to be a good one. Both teams have the firepower. One advantage for Fulshear could be winning in low scoring games. They defeated Manvel 9-7 and in a defensive battle that could give them all the confidence needed. But it's going to be very hard to slow down this high powered Rangers offense. I think this one could be close but I lean Smithson Valley in this one.
LIBERTY HILL VS ALAMO HEIGHTS
Friday, November 25th, 1:30PM | Memorial Stadium, Bastrop Texas
Last year it was the Regional Final, this year it is the Regional Semi-finals. Liberty Hill came away with a thrilling 43-30 win last year and it could be just as good of a matchup this year. Liberty Hill has rolled most of the season with one loss to 6A Hutto. They haven't really been challenged wince Week 7's win vs Veterans Memorial. They came into the season with a very young and inexperienced defense that has seemed to get better and better as the weeks have gone on. Meanwhile after a 3-point loss in Week 1 to Seguin, the Mules have been rolling. Since Week 4 they have only given up more than a touchdown once, that was the
bi-district round versus Kerrville Tivy. As always when playing Liberty Hill can you stop the slot-t? Noah Long has been dominants in his junior year with almost 2,000 yards rushing with Ben Carter rushing for over 1,500 yards himself. If the Mules can't stop the run, it will be another close loss like last season.
LAKE TRAVIS VS BRENNAN
Friday, November 25th, 6PM | Cougar Stadium, New Braunfels Texas
It's a rematch from the Regional Finals last season. It was a blow out win for the Cavs then, but this year could be different. Lake Travis has had to gut out some wins this season without QB Bo Edmundson, including last weeks 24-21 win over Steele. Meanwhile Brennan has rolled since their 1 point loss in Week 1 to Steele. While they may have been looking forward tot the potential rematch against Steele this week, they will gladly take the opportunity to get revenge from last year. Ashton Dubose will be key for the Bears. If him and his receivers can continue to be in sync Brennan could find themselves in the Regional Final again. But they will have to defeat the new look Cavs that have been run first and have leaned on their defense a lot this year. Flip a coin folks, this one feels like a toss up.
WESTLAKE VS SAN BENITO
Friday, November 25th, 2PM | Alamo Stadium, San Antonio Texas
Westlake is now at 52 wins and counting. Their defense has been dominate this year. Their offense has been good as well, but it's not last seasons Chap offense. They do have some struggles on the offense side at times, so if San Benito hopes to stand any chance they will need to capitalize on offense if their defense is able to get some stops. One thing any team that faces Westlake will need to be aware of is their special teams unit which has come up with big plays so far to start this post season, including Jaden Greathouse who has returned 2 punt returns back for touchdowns so far. At this point I'm still under the assumption we are probably headed for a Westlake versus North Shore rematch in the Semi-finals.
DRIPPING SPRINGS VS HARLINGEN
Friday, November 25th, 11:00AM | Alamodome, San Antonio Texas
Dripping Springs has been off to a great start to their 6A play. Their lone loss has come to Westlake in which they were only down 6 early in the 4th quarter. They are looking to join the volleyball team who won state last week and will need to get through 12-0 Harlingen to do so. The Cardinals have not really been tested so far this season with their closest game being a 56-49 win over United. The Tigers will go as far as Austin Novosad will take them. Their defense will keep them in games and if Novosad and the Tigers offense is rolling it is hard to stop this team.
VANDEGRIFT VS HARLAN
Friday, November 25th, 7:30PM | Alamodome, San Antonio Texas
After week 1's loss to Dripping Springs, the Vipers have been rolling under the offensive duo of Brayden Buchanan and Miles Coleman. Meanwhile Harlan finds themselves on a little magical run after wins over Del Rio and Weslaco in the first 2 rounds. To me Vandegrift should cruise. They are on a revenge tour and with Dripping Springs playing 8 hours before them they will have all the bulletin board material needed for this game.