Brenham Advances to Regional Semifinals
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Updated: November 24, 2024
photos: Steve Thomas
For the second time in three years, the Brenham Cubs have reached the UIL 5A-D2 regional semi-finals. The Cubs advanced with a 30-27 win over the Liberty Hill Panthers in the area round Friday night at the Pfield in Pflugerville.
For most of the game, the Cubs were without sophomore phenom running back JaKoby Dixon. However, the tandem of running backs Xyran Upshaw and Cartelle Brown rose to the occasion. Upshaw had 20 carries for 130 yards and two touchdowns, and Brown had five catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Jordan Harvey also made an impact on the game throwing for 240 yards and two touchdowns.
From the very beginning, the game was a back-and-forth contest. On the second play from scrimmage, Cartelle Brown ran a screen pass 74 yards for a touchdown. Not to be outdone, Liberty Hill responded with their own fireworks on the ensuing drive. Quarterback Jack Pitchford broke free for 70 yards on the Panthers’ first offensive play, and running back Dylan Belinga punched the ball in two plays later.
Brenham retook the lead early in the second quarter when Brown caught his second touchdown of the night from 22 yards out. After Liberty Hill was flagged for offsides on the extra-point, the Cubs completed the two-point conversion. Running back Bryce Muchaw scored a one-yard touchdown shortly before halftime to bring Liberty Hill back to within one.
In the second half, penalties and miscues doomed the Panthers. The Panthers started their first two drives of the half on the Brenham 30 and 23-yard lines. Both drives, however, ended with field goals of 20 and 23 yards by kicker Karson Bye. After the second field goal, the Panthers were flagged for kick-catch interference; and the Cubs started at the Liberty Hill 43-yard line. A pass interference penalty on 3rd and 11 extended the drive, and Upshaw scored from 20 yards out on 4th and 1. The Cubs once again scored a two-point conversion to go ahead 23-20.
Following the Brenham touchdown. Liberty Hill put together an effective drive; but defensive back Jabreon Moore cut the drive short with an interception. Upshaw then scored his second touchdown of the night to put the Cubs ahead by two scores. Running back Preston Benefield scored a three-yard touchdown run to keep Liberty Hill in the game; but the Panthers were unable to recover the onside kick. After recovering the onside kick, the Cubs were able to run out the clock.
After the game, Brenham Head Coach Danny Youngs praised his team’s performance, especially their ability to execute and make critical plays. He praised Brown and Upshaw for their performance in place of the injured Dixon. Next week, the Cubs will face the Richmond Randle Lions (12-0) in the regional semi-finals. The game will be on Saturday at 2:00pm CST at Waller ISD’s Daikin Stadium. The Lions advanced with a 79-0 rout of Elgin.
Liberty Hill, meanwhile, finishes the year at 9-3. The loss marks the first time since 2013 that the Panthers failed to advance past the area round.
by Steve Thomas
Players Pictured
Brenham
#0 Caleb Espinoza
#2 Jordan Harvey
#4 Chris Guidry
#5 Ledrick Walker Jr
#6 Tylon Powell
#8 Cartelle Brown
#9 JaKoby Dixon
#11 Doyle Brown
#14 Xyran Upshaw
#28 Ethan Aschenbeck
#52 Andre Mojica
#55 Darius Brown
Liberty Hill
#2 Kendrick Hicks
#6 Weston Calhoun
#7 Jack Pitchford
#9 Kyle May
#14 Eyan Jones
#24 DJ Seaborn
#42 Kaden Cockburn
#52 Caleb Nicholas
#56 Alister Vallejo
#59 Nikko Vasquez
#60 Jett Harrison
#88 Braden Radziwon
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