GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE/ESPN Austin Central Texas Game of the Week Preview: Liberty Hill vs. Brenham
Liberty Hill’s running back corps was wracked with injuries – not that you would know it. Even with their top two backs out of the lineup, the Panthers, as advertised, amassed 565 rushing yards, with three different backs cracking the century mark, and scored 69 points in a 69-26 Bi-district playoff win over Sam Houston. The questions now are, can a team that’s had 17(!) different rushers carry the ball replicate that performance in Round 2; and can the Panthers slow down a Brenham ballclub that’s averaging nearly 45 points and 430 yards-per-game in its own right?
It looks to be an explosive night of fireworks when the Liberty Hill Panthers face the Brenham Cubs in Friday night’s 5A D2 Area round matchup in the VYPE Central Texas High School Football Game of the Week, simulcast on 102.7 FM ESPN Austin radio.
Panther senior running back Kyle May and junior Bryce Muchaw have accumulated nearly 2,300 yards and 33 touchdowns between the two of them. With both sidelined in last week’s playoff opener, sophomores P. Dylan Belinga (18-223, 12.4 YPC, 3 TDs) and Spencer Ballew (14-109, 7.8 YPC) and junior Dj Seaborn (7-105, 15.0 YPC) each rushed for over 100 yards. And then there was junior Preston Benefield, who carried the ball 14 times for 75 yards – and five touchdowns.
Liberty Hill (9-2) may need every yard they can muster in what threatens to turn into a track meet with Brenham (10-0). The Cubs scored over 31 points in every game this season, crushing all comers in District 10-5A-2 and blanking Texas City in last week’s Bi-district playoff game. Brenham also held their opponents to a modest 20.2 PPG, posting two shutouts and holding their opponent to a single score in two other games.
Senior quarterback Jordan Harvey (89-142, 1,538 Yds., 20 TDs, 5 INTs) commands a dangerous passing game, set up by the success sophomore running back Jacoby Dixon (246-2249, 9.1 YPC, 32 TDs) has found on the ground.
It’s supposed to get harder the deeper teams go in the playoffs. Along with their season-opener against 6A Steele and their regular season finale against Bastrop, this will be Liberty Hill’s toughest test of the season.
What: 5A D2 Area: Liberty Hill vs. Brenham
When: 6:45 Pregame, 7:00 Kickoff
Where: The Pfield, Pflugerville
Who: Adam Mueller, Matt Lorenz
Television/Streaming: Fan Duel Sports Network
Listen: https://www.vype.com/7pm-5a-dii-football-area-playoff-liberty-hill-vs-brenham
Listen: 102.7 FM ESPN Austin, https://www.1027espn.com/
Lake Creek looks to repeat in crowded DISTRICT 10-5A-DII
DISTRICT 10-5A-DII
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS (Playoff teams in bold)
Lake Creek Lions
Brenham Cubs
Randle Lions
Montgomery Bears
Huntsville Hornets
Lamar Consolidated Mustangs
Rudder Rangers
...
Most Valuable Player
Tyvonn Byars, Lake Creek
Offensive Player of the Year
Reggie Williams, Montgomery
Defensive Player of the Year
Cade Moore, Brenham
Breakout Player of the Year
Eli Morcos, Lake Creek
On the Cusp
Montgomery Bears
...
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THE 2023 VYPE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TEAM & INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS
...
Just like every other team at Lake Creek, the football team is coming off its first-ever undefeated regular season, won 12 games and its first-ever District Championship. The Lions return District 10-5A-DII MVP Tyvonn Byars at running back after he rushed for 2,346 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2022. What will help Byars to another big season in 2023 is the return of all-district offensive linemen Jaxon Sayers, Aidan Kaplan and Dominic Armour. Watch out for junior QB Eli Morcos to take the reigns of the offense. He’s a talent on the cusp of a big season. The top receiver back is Sam Lee (532 yards, 8 TDs) and the Lions’ all-district kicker Alex Abott is back. Defensively, they have talent. Davis Lee was the District Defensive Sophomore of the Year in 2022. Other key returners include Gerard Culotta (LB), Leighton Scott (Corner), Dakota Kennett (Corner) and Blake Hayward (S).
Brenham has been in the playoffs every season since 2004. That’s 19-straight years. Danny Youngs will have District 10-5A-DII Defensive Newcomer of the Year in JaBreon Moore back in the locker room. Cade Moore is also back after leading the team with 95 tackles and four sacks, both tops on the team. The Cubs’ defense will be stout with Moores and then add in all-district selections Miguel Rodriquez (DL - 53 tackles), DE JaeRen Robinson, John Rigsby (DE), Cade Moore (LB), Juan Mata (Corner), Ivan Salazar (S) and Ti'avian Davis. Cartelle Brown will be looked to at running back for the Cubs as he’s the team’s top returning rusher.
The Randle Lions were young last year and bring almost everyone back off a 4-6 team. Leo Garza is back at quarterback after passing for 1,993 yards and 23 touchdowns. Cortney Brown is his top returning receiver after racking up 674 yards and seven scores. Jaxon Montelongo is another weapon at receiver. Defensive end Curtis John Miller is back after a 60-tackle, five-sack campaign. Sh'rhod Revis led the team with 61 tackles. Other key returners include Eric Strickland (DL), Chace Sims (OL/DL), Chris Taylor (OL), Jerad Sherman (ILB), Ray Terrel (ILB), Demeco Harvey (WR), Perry Kindred (OLB), Kam Richardson (Corner), Christian Murguia (K) and Christian Murguia (P).
Montgomery’s overall record may have been 3-8 but the Bears went 3-3 in district, which was good for third place and a playoff spot. It was their third-straight playoff trip and first under head coach Grant Cooper. Reggie Williams is a massive returning piece of the offense at quarterback. Williams is a dual-threat after passing for 1,691 yards and 15 scores and rushing for another 1,042 yards and 13 scores. Williams was the District 10-5A-DII Offensive Sophomore of the Year. Cooper Hydock and Daryl Hedtke return on the offensive line. Bo Bruce (TE) and Damian Taylor (RB - 553 yards) are other key returners on offense. Defensively, Prince Holiday (DE), Keilan Carver (DB) and Hudson Brawner (P) are back.
Huntsville went 4-7 last year and took the last playoff spot. The Hornets return Texas Tech-commit Isaiah Collins at cornerback to lead the defense. Zach Moss (DE) and Shiloh Jones (OLB) are other key returners. Lamar Consolidated returns first-team, all-district picks Marvin Ferris (ILB/Deep Snapper), Briant Mayberry (OLB) and Oscar Pedraza (Corner). Rudder Rangers went 2-8 last year and return District Offensive Newcomer of the Year Jaquise Martin at receiver. Other top returners include Hunter McGary (OL), Ryan Campbell (S) and Brandon Cooks.