(Abarw.com/Allison Weirich Photo) Aubrey Spivey, #44, makes the tackle during an 8th-grade Gold game.

By Linda Lattanzio, Leader Sportswriter

Was it just me or did anyone else hear that soft, solid click as the door closed on this year’s football season for the Liberty Hill Junior High Panthers? Unfortunately, that click came before the games began. Even the parents, a normally rowdy bunch, seemed subdued as the Panthers lost to their Burnet Bulldogs. The 8^th Gold team, undefeated all season, lost 6-14. The 8^th Purple team lost 28-38.

In the 8^th Gold game, Kade Stanley, Chance Runnels and Aubrey Spivey were the three-headed monster, playing both offense and defense and displaying great team leadership.

The game was fraught with penalities from both teams as Panthers and Bulldogs scrambled to dominate the field. However the first quarter was all Panther ball, thanks to a huge sack from Austin DeCeasare for a five yard loss and a fumble recovery by Justin Spears. In the second quarter, Panther defense captured the ball with Austin Maxwell and Jarron Farrell both intercepting long passes. But the Bulldogs finally busted Trent Rockafellow loose for a 47-yard romp into the end zone. Jon Brown-Shannon’s extra point was good. The half ended Liberty Hill 0, Burnet 8.

After kicking off to Burnet to open the second half, defense held the Dawgs to downs but offense couldn’t seem to take advantage, fumbling the ball and Burnet recovering. The Dawgs fought their way to the 5-yard line where Peyton Utsey managed to scramble into the end zone. DeCeasare saw to it that Rockafellow’s extra point run was stopped.

Spivey finally broke through the middle and made a 20-yard gain before a Bulldog managed to trip him. Three plays later Lance Champion picked up great centerfield blocking and dashed 65 yards to touchdown. But it was the last time the offense would gain the end zone, despite a game-changing fumble recovered by Travis Williamson and later a 25-yard run by Champion.  The Bulldogs held the Panthers to downs and took over on their own 22-yard line. Rockafellow broke around the end and dashed 87 yards to touchdown. The Bulldogs won 6-14.

The 8^th grade Gold Panthers end their season with a 6-1 record.

The 8^th Purple team spent the entire game playing catch-up. But what the offense seemed to be able to gain, the Bulldogs seemed to be able to take away. Panther defense struggled in this game while the Bulldogs played tough on both sides of the ball.

Colton Cunningham was a bulldozer in this game, making holes where there were none and gaining significant yardage, despite a tough defense.

Intense Bulldog defense created two turnovers for the Dawgs. Bulldog #18 caught a pass in the end zone with 2 minutes left in the quarter. And their Austin Moore booted the first of many kickoff points and returns on the night.  But it only took two plays for the Panthers to unleash Caleb Guerin up the middle for a 53-yard romp to the end zone. The Bulldogs came right back, breaking out #20 82 yards for their second touchdown of the night. It took the Panthers the rest of the quarter to claw their way into the red zone for Zachery Smith to touchdown. With 53 seconds left in the half, the Bulldogs passed to #33 37 yards to touchdown. The extra point run was blocked, fumbled and recovered by Kalub Foster. The half ended Liberty Hill 16, Burnet 23.

The second half continued that pattern. Cunningham made a breakout run 80 yards to touchdown. Burnet answered, cracking the middle for Brock Foster to run 50 yards to touchdown. Top of the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs’ Foster completed a 1-yard drive into the end zone. The Panthers came on strong with a 30-yard pass to Kalub Foster, followed by Cunningham up the middle to touchdown. It was Liberty Hill 28, Burnet 38. With 2:35 left on the clock, the Panthers made an unusual move to a complete passing game . It was interesting to note Keylan Herman’s passing ability, and his quick thinking when to cut and run, as he gained the Panthers a first down when his pocket collapsed. Also notable was Kalub Foster’s receiving. However, the ball went over on downs on the Burnet 15-yard line, and that was the ball game.

The 8^th grade Purple Panthers end their season with a 5-1-2 record.