Liberty Hill Holds off Alamo Heights

By Chris Doelle
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: December 4, 2021

photos: Steve Thomas

Liberty Hill Advances to State Semi-Finals Panthers fend off Mules’ late rally to advance

Last year, the Liberty Hill Panthers lost head coach Jeff Walker in the middle of the season to an eight-year battle with kidney cancer. Under the leadership of Walker’s brother, Kent Walker, the Panthers reached the UIL 5A-D2 semifinals. In the semifinals, the Panthers lost in heartbreaking fashion to Crosby 62-61 in OT after failing to score a two-point conversion attempt. This year, the Panthers went 11-2, won their second-consecutive District 14-5A D2 title, and were making another deep playoff run. Last week, the Panthers advanced to the Regional Finals with a 56-33 win over Leander Rouse. Friday night at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, the Panthers faced a grueling test against the perennial powerhouse San Antonio Alamo Heights Mules in the 5A-D2 Region 4 Championship. The Mules entered the game at 13-0 and advanced following a hard-fought 10-7 win over Marble Falls in the previous round.

Behind their vaunted slot-T offense, the Panthers fought a back-and-forth battle and held on for a 43-40 win. The win sets up a rematch with Crosby in the 5A-D2 Semifinals. Running back Andon Thomas led the Panthers’ multi-faceted rushing attack with 106 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Jack Sawyer led the Mules’ offense with 13 catches for 191 yards and four touchdowns. In the fourth quarter, the Panthers twice widened their lead to ten points; but the Mules were able to narrow the gap to three points both times. The Panthers were finally able to seal the game with 1:30 left when they recovered an onside kick.

In the first quarter, Alamo Heights struck first when quarterback James Sobey connected with Sawyer for a 30-yard touchdown pass. The Mules, however, missed the extra-point attempt. Liberty Hill responded on their first drive when quarterback Reese Vickers found the end zone on a 22-yard keeper. Early in the second quarter, the Mules responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Sobey to Sawyer. The Mules failed the two-point conversion leaving the score at 12-7. With just under five minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Panthers retook the lead when running back Logan Dyer broke free for a 71-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing drive, however, Alamo Heights retook the lead 19-14 when Sobey once again connected with Sawyer for a 29-yard touchdown pass. Shortly before halftime, Noah Long reached the end zone on a four-yard touchdown run; but the touchdown was called back due to holding. The Panthers attempted a field goal, but the handler bobbled the snap.

On the opening drive of the third quarter, Long scored on a 12-yard touchdown run; and Andon Thomas completed the two point conversion to give Liberty Hill a 22-19 lead. Late in the third quarter, Sobey connected with Sawyer again on a four yard touchdown pass to put Alamo Heights back in front 26-22. A facemask and late-hit on the ensuing kickoff gave Liberty Hill the ball at the Mules’ 14-yard line. Four plays later, Thomas scored on a one-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers back in front 29-26. The Panthers recovered a pooch kick following the touchdown, and Vickers found the end zone a second time on a one-yard run to extend the lead to 36-26. Undeterred, the Mules responded with a one-yard touchdown keeper from Sobey thanks, in part, to pass interference by Liberty Hill. Liberty Hill was able to again extend their lead on the ensuing drive when Andon Thomas broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run. Following the touchdown, Sawyer found his way behind the Liberty Hill secondary for a 43-yard catch on fourth down; and running back George Flesher scored on a two yard touchdown run which pulled the Mules back within three. The Mules were unable to recover the onside kick, however; and the Panthers were able to run out the clock.

After the game, Liberty Hill Head Coach Kent Walker praised his team’s effort and resolve, especially in light of facing such a tough opponent. He also paid tribute to his brother and said that he hoped he was doing what his brother would have wanted with the team. With the win, the Panthers improve to 12-2 overall. Next week, the Panthers will play the Crosby Cougars in a rematch of last year’s 5A D2 Semifinals at a date and time to be determined. Alamo Heights, meanwhile, finishes the season at 13-1. For his part, head coach Ron Rittimann praised his team’s effort and performance throughout the season and felt that his players had established a solid foundation for the future.

by Steve Thomas