VYPE/ESPN Austin Central Texas Game of the Week Preview: Liberty Hill vs. SA Sam Houston

Liberty Hill has already rushed for a touchdown.

Not really, but it can sure feel like the Panthers and their vaunted Slot-T offense are logging rushing touchdowns even before they get off the bus. Liberty Hill will bring their track meet offense (52.5 PPG) into Friday night’s 5A D2 Bi-district matchup with San Antonio Sam Houston in the VYPE Central Texas High School Football Game of the Week, simulcast on 102.7 FM ESPN Austin radio.

The numbers are insane. Senior running back Kyle May (146-1,226, 8.4 YPC, 21 TDs) and junior Bryce Muchaw (106-1068, 10.1, 12 TDs) pace a Panthers rushing attack that averages 467.1 YPG. (The national average, according to MaxPrep: 154.6).

Of course, the flipside is they rarely pass, averaging just north of 30 YPG through the air. But when they throw it, the element of surprise pays off. With three quarterbacks platooning due to injuries, Liberty Hill (8-2, 6-1 in 11-5A-2) as a team has thrown the ball just 21 times all season. Yet, four of their 11 completions have gone for touchdowns.

The offense often scores so fast, the defense has to spend a lot of time on the field and has, as a result, given up 30.5 points per game. (Liberty Hill scores often look like 6-man games – or even basketball.) But it’s been enough to get the job done.

If the Hurricanes of Sam Houston (5-5, 4-2 in 12-5A-2) are going to be anything more than a first-round appetizer, their defense will need to find some answers fast. Sophomore quarterback Mivieon Franklin-Ross (104-195, 1,460 Yds., 13 TD, 8 INT) has found some success through the air. He also averages 5.7 yards per carry with 5 rushing touchdowns.

Coach Kent Walker’s Liberty Hill squads reached the State semifinals in each of the past two seasons and fell in the 2021 state championship game to South Oak Cliff. The Panthers also won back-to-back state titles in 2006 and 2007 under legendary Head Coach Jerry Vance, all while running a feared Slot-T offense apparently installed at birth.

They hope to begin another “run” to State in Friday night’s playoff opener.