Liberty Wins Another Close One

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: September 9, 2023

photos: Steve Thomas

Liberty Hill Rallies Past Georgetown 45-42

In the past two games, the Liberty Hill Panthers have had a penchant for dramatic finishes. Last week, the Panthers held on for an 82-80 victory over the Hutto Hippos. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Panthers led Hutto 75-58 but gave up another 22 points while scoring seven of their own. This week, the Panthers faced another major test against the Georgetown Eagles. Both teams entered game at 1-1 overall. Last week, the Eagles committed five turnovers and suffered their first loss of the season 28-17 to Leander Vista Ridge.

For most of the game, the Panthers trailed the Eagles. With less than a minute left in the game, however, running back Noah Long scored a touchdown; and the Panthers completed a two-point conversion to take only their second lead of the game at 45-42. On the ensuing drive, the potent Georgetown offense drove the ball inside the Panthers’ 20-yard line. With less than ten seconds to go, Georgetown lined up for what appeared to be a chip-shot 31-yard field goal. Liberty Hill defensive lineman Alister Vallejo blocked the kick, however, and sealed the win for the Panthers.

In the first half, the Eagles were able to maintain a slight edge. On the opening drive, Georgetown running back Andrew Petter put the Eagles on the board first with a nine-yard touchdown run. Two drives later, the Panthers’ defense put them on the board when defensive back Avery Marklin returned a fumble 18 yards for a touchdown. Petter immediately responded with a 58-yard touchdown run to put Georgetown back in the lead. In the second quarter, Liberty Hill kicker Connor Hawkins netted a 22-yard field goal which narrowed Georgetown’s lead to 14-10; but Georgetown running back Cody Holubec countered with a 78-yard touch down run. Once again, the Panthers responded when running back Bryce Muchaw scored on a 23-yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, Panther running back Ben Carter gave Liberty Hill its first lead of the night with a two-yard touchdown run. With under two minutes to go in the half, Holubec caught a screen pass from running back Noah Booras and ran it 93 yards for a touchdown and gave Georgetown a 28-24 lead.

Early in the second half, Georgetown maintained their edge and built on their lead. In the third quarter, the defense kept Liberty Hill from scoring and Cody Holubec added to the Eagles’ lead with his second touchdown catch of the night. Early in the fourth quarter, Noah Long scored his first touchdown of the night for Liberty Hill; but the Panthers failed the two-point conversion. Following the Panther touchdown, Andrew Petter broke free again for a 58-yard touchdown run. Refusing to go away, the Panthers responded when Ben Carter found the end zone for a second time.

With under four minutes left in the game, Liberty Hill’s defense came up huge. On fourth-and-eight inside Liberty Hill territory, the Panthers’ defense stopped Booras from reaching the first-down marker and gave the ball back to the offense. This stop set up the drive for Noah Long’s game-winning touchdown; and Allister Vallejo’s aforementioned blocked field goal sealed the win.

After the game, Vallejo expressed joy at being able to get the game-winning block. He was also very quick to credit his teammates for their performance and sticking together their backs were against the wall, especially on the last drive. For his part, Liberty Hill Head Coach Kent Walker said that he didn’t have words to describe the feeling of seeing the Vallejo block the kick. He was extremely laudatory of his team’s performance and their resilience, especially given that they were down most of the game but found a way to win. With the win, Liberty Hill improves to 2-1 overall. Next week, the Panthers will return home to host Leander Rouse (2-1.) Georgetown, meanwhile, falls to 1-2 overall. The Eagles have a bye next week before opening district play at College Station A&M Consolidated (2-1.)

Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Liberty Hill