Brenham Survives Late Comeback By Liberty Hill
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Updated: November 24, 2025
photos: Steve Thomas
Brenham Survives Late Comeback By Liberty Hill
It was déjà vu Friday night in Hutto. For the second consecutive year, the Liberty Hill Panthers and Brenham Cubs met in the UIL 5A-D2 area round. Also like last year, the game was a tense affair that was decided by a margin of three points. In Friday’s contest, the Cubs staved off a late Panther rally for a 27-24 win.
In the first half, the two teams traded blows before Brenham started to take control. Running back Bryce Muchaw drew first blood for the Panthers with a 12-yard touchdown run. The Cubs responded on the next drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Xyran Upshaw to receiver Cartelle Brown. The Cubs also converted the two-point try following the touchdown. Running back Preston Benefield put Liberty Hill back in front with a one-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. Brenham immediately responded with running back CJ Glover’s five-yard touchdown, and Brown caught his second touchdown of the night shortly before halftime. Brown had over 100 yards receiving in the game.
Liberty Hill kicker Luke Barto’s 20-yard field goal was the only score in the third quarter, but the real drama came in the fourth quarter. Early in the quarter, Xyran Upshaw broke free for a 70-yard scramble that set up CJ Glover’s second touchdown one play later.
On the ensuing drive, defensive back Tre’Lyn Kelly intercepted a rare pass from Liberty Hill and set up the Cubs at the Panthers’ 17-yard line. The Cubs reached the Panthers’ seven-yard line to deliver the final blow, but disaster struck. On first and goal, Upshaw mishandled the snap; and Liberty Hill linebacker Orrin Cole ran the ball back 93 yards for a touchdown. The Panthers scored the two-point conversion.
Following Liberty Hill’s touchdown, things went from bad to worse for Brenham’s offense. Liberty Hill’s defense drove the Cubs backwards and nearly recovered another fumble which Brenham was able to recover for a seven-yard loss. Despite the offensive setbacks, the Cubs’ defense got two critical fourth-down stops to seal the win.
After the game, Brenham Head Coach Danny Youngs credited his team’s resilience following the fumble returned for a touchdown. “They weren’t turning around and pointing fingers. They were saying, ‘Line up, and let’s go. We’re still winning.”
The Cubs now advance to the 5A-D2 regional semi-finals. Awaiting the Cubs will be the Iowa Colony Pioneers(11-1.) The Pioneers advanced with a 49-7 win over Pflugerville. The game will be played on Friday, November 28, 2025, at 7:00pm in Katy. The exact site is still to be determined.
Liberty Hill finishes the season at 9-3.
by Steve Thomas
Players Pictured
Brenham
#0 Caleb Espinoza
#4 Chris Guidry
#8 Cartelle Brown
#5 Ledrick Walker Jr
#21 Quincy Adams
#29 Mason Seeber
#52 Andre Mojica
Liberty Hill
#0 DJ Seaborn
#2 Dylan Belinga
#5 Bryce Muchaw
#16 Carson Neilson
#34 Preston Benefield
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