(Abarw.com/Allison Weirich Photo) The Liberty Hill defense steps up; the Purple Thunder defenders include Justin Webb (60), Brice Bishop (45) and Jacob Dudgeon (10).
By Monroe Williamson, sports
Liberty Hill opened the 2011 football season with a 21-0 loss to the Rouse Raiders from District 25-4A. Rouse recorded their first varsity football victory in school history.
The Panthers had poor field position for most of the first half. The locals started 2 drives at their 10-yard line. Add 3 lost fumbles, and drive killing penalties early in the game cost The Panthers momentum and dug themselves a hole they could not get out of.
Meanwhile the Rouse Raiders took advantage of their opportunities, scoring immediately after turnovers and kept drives going with big plays.
Coach Vance told the team after the game “ State Championships are not won on the 1st game of the season.” He also told them “ that it was not one thing, they (Rouse) did a great job and did what they were suppose to do.”
The Panthers offense produced 326 yards of offense (266 on the ground, and 60 thru the air). Jonathan Johnston led the Panther attack with several good runs. He had 159 yards on 12 carries. Brandon Cord had 85 yards on 23 carries. Johnston also had a pass reception of 44 yards, and Joseph Dudgeon had a reception for 16 yards.
The Panther defense gave up 380 yards to the Rouse Raiders. Rouse picked up 186 yards on the ground, and stung the Panther secondary for 194 yards through the air, and 2 touchdowns. Cody Turner had a fumble recovery. Justin Webb had 5 solo tackles and four assist to lead the defense.
Liberty Hill's opening drive showed promise as they marched to the Rouse 26 yard line. However, back-to-back motion penalties put the locals in a 2ND and 16 situation. On the next play Rouse recovered a fumble. A Rouse penalty moved the ball to the their 25. On the next play the Raiders quarterback, Michael Botello hit wide receiver, Logan Kinder on a slant pattern that split the Panther secondary and he raced 75 yards for a touchdown with 8:03 left in the 1st quarter.
In the 2nd quarter after another drive ended with a Panther fumble recovered by the Raiders. Rouse once again struck quickly. On the first play from the Panther 43, quarterback Botello kept the ball on a zone read, cut to the left and found running room for a touchdown.
In the 3rd quarter Liberty Hill punted after their initial drive stalled. On a 3rd and 9 from the Rouse 45, Botello found Wesley Lewis open for a 55-yard touchdown pass.
The Panthers put a drive together late in the 4th that fell 8 yards short of a touchdown as the game ended.
Vance noted after the game that we will play better teams, and we well have to respond if we want to win.
On that note the Panthers will host the Cuero Gobblers from District 28-3A next Friday night at 7:30. Cuero comes in 0-1 after losing their opener to Wimberley.
