(Thunderstruckphotos.com Photo) Liberty Hill sophomore Jadon Boatright (17) reached high for an interception during a 34-14 victory over Rouse. LH sophomore and teammate Morgan Amthor (33) watches Boatright make the acrobatic pick.
By Chuck Licata
One wonders if the LHHS varsity football team was under more pressure in last Friday night’s season opener against Rouse because (1) it was the opening night of football after last year’s team finished 4-5, thus putting the Panthers in a mode of wanting to win and “shake off” last year’s performance; or (2) Liberty Hill’s opponent, Rouse, was playing its first-ever varsity football game and certainly the Panthers didn’t want to “go down in history” as the Raiders’ first-ever win.
While Liberty Hill’s famed Slot-T offense was rolling up over 450 yards on the ground and controlling the line of scrimmage (see Monroe Williamson game story in this section), the LHHS defense was competing very well against the Spread offense run by the visiting Raiders.
Jerry Vance’s squad was missing a few defensive personnel for the game because of injuries – including the likes of T.J. Hillman (out for the season), Kyle Hester and Cody Turner.
But the other Panthers stepped up when necessary and performed well against a pass-oriented offense most teams now use – there are usually 3-4 receivers on each play in the Spread. Even more difficult for the defense is the fact the offense never “huddles” thus limiting opportunities for defensive substitutions because there isn’t a whole lot of time between plays.
The LHHS D-Line – with senior Derek Bates (one sack) and junior Bryce Bishop (one sack) at the ends and senior Danny O’Neal (one sack) and junior Avery Sims – put more-than-ample pressure on Rouse quarterback Tai Gaddison.
The LHHS secondary gave up 12 completions and 145 yards passing to Gaddison, while the Raiders’ talented tailback, Ed Butts, rushed for 90 yards. Gaddison accounted for the two RHS scores, tossing TD passes of 11 and 10 yards.
Overall, Rouse mustered 230 yards total, but all but 12 of those came in the first half.
Plus, Gaddison and Butts were feeling pressure from the line as well as linebackers Jake Sadler (one fumble recovery) and Jonah Pearson (five tackles).
The secondary – including Josh Woodbury, Bo Simpson, Justin Webb and Boatright, among others – provided good coverage against the pass-oriented offense. And, Simpson and Boatright were among the team’s leading tacklers with five each, while Boatright had the one pick and recovered a fumble.
The entire defense looked good on blitzes and rushed Gaddison hard – in particular, Bates, who made a routine of getting around the offensive blocking and getting in Gaddison’s face.
The Panthers will have to be just as effective Friday night if they hope to corral a very talented Cuero team – on the road in Cuero
