Liberty Hill Rolls Past Boerne Champion

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: December 19, 2020

Liberty Hill vs Boerne Champion Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Panthers continue to honor late coach with Area round win

For the Liberty Hill Panthers, 2020 has been full of challenges and adversity. In February, the UIL’s bi-annual realignment moved them up from Class 4A DI to 5A DII. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Panthers, along with all other 5A and 6A teams, were forced to start their season nearly a month late.

Despite the challenges, the Panthers tore through District 14-5A DII. Excluding their forfeit win against Austin Northeast Early College Prep, the Panthers outscored their opponents by an average margin of 51 points.

Perhaps the greatest adversity this team has faced this season, however, is the loss of Head Coach Jeff Walker. On November 30, 2020, Walker passed away unexpectedly at age 52 from complications related to an eight-year battle with kidney cancer. Last week, under the leadership of Walker’s brother and Defensive Coordinator Kent Walker, the Panthers honored their late coach with a 51-0 drubbing of the Leander Glenn Grizzlies in the Bi-district playoffs.

This week, in the Area round, the Panthers faced the District 15-5A DII runner-up Boerne Champion Chargers. The Chargers entered the game at 7-2 overall. Their two losses came against Killeen Harker Heights in non-district play and against eventual district champion San Antonio Alamo Heights. Last week, the Chargers defeated Edcouch Elsa 56-19 in the Bi-district round.

On Friday night at Gupton Stadium in Cedar Park, the Panthers put on yet another dominant performance. Using their vaunted slot-T offense, the Panthers gashed the Chargers on the ground, rushing for five touchdowns. The defense, meanwhile, forced three turnovers and held the Chargers scoreless en route to a 41-0 win.

In the first half, running back Trey Seward opened the scoring with a 13-yard touchdown run. The Chargers responded with a drive into Panther territory, but defensive back Bryce Rampy ended the drive with an interception. Early in the second quarter, the Chargers’ defense appeared to hold the Panthers to a field goal but were ruled offsides. The penalty gave the Panthers a first-and-goal from the Chargers’ ten-yard line. Three plays later, running back Blake Simpson scored on a one-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers ahead 14-0.

Later in the quarter, kicker Ethan Minix netted a 26-yard field goal to put the Panthers ahead 17-0. Shortly before halftime, running back Noah Long extended the Liberty Hill lead to 24-0 with a 59-yard touchdown run.

On the opening drive of the second half, Ethan Minix extended Liberty Hill’s lead to 27-0 with a 21-yard field goal. Later in the quarter, defensive back Carter Hudson intercepted Charger quarterback Karson Kaiser’s pass at the Chargers’ 35-yard line. Two plays later, Panther quarterback Charlie Calabretta scored on a 33-yard touchdown keeper.

In the fourth quarter, Calabretta found the end zone again on a two-yard touchdown keeper. On the Chargers’ last drive of the game, Liberty Hill linebacker Aaron Brewer sacked Karson Kaiser and recovered a fumble at the Panthers’ 27-yard line.

After the game, the Panthers’ sideline was a scene of elated celebration. Regarding the win Carter Hudson said, “It gives me chills just thinking about it.”

Kent Walker praised his team’s execution and focus both in preparation for and during the game. Walker also praised his late brother for molding the players into the team that they are.

With the win, the Panthers improve to 10-0. Next week, they will face the Leander Rouse Raiders. The Raiders advanced with a 57-28 win over Mercedes. Boerne Champion, meanwhile, finishes the season a 7-3.

After the game, Champion Head Coach Keith Kaiser expressed pride in his team’s performance throughout a volatile season. Kaiser said that he was at times skeptical that his team would even be able to play this season because of the pandemic. He was especially laudatory of his seniors for their efforts throughout the year. Kaiser also complimented Liberty Hill and Kent Walker for their performance in the midst of such a difficult situation. He then expressed great enthusiasm for the future and believes his team is in a good place heading into next season.

by Steve Thomas