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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.
When: 7:15 Pregame, 7:30 Kickoff
Where: Panther Stadium, Liberty Hill HS
Who: Adam Mueller, Henry Hipschman
Watch: https://www.vype.com/nfhs-5a-ii-football-bi-dist-liberty-hill-vs-sa-sam-houston
Listen: 102.7 FM ESPN Austin, https://www.1027espn.com/
VYPE/ESPN Austin Central Texas Game of the Week Preview: Austin High vs. Bowie
Several Austin High fans predicted at their scrimmage vs. Brandeis in mid-August that the game against Bowie was going to determine the final playoff spot out of District 26-6A. They were exactly right.
With Westlake, Dripping Springs and Lake Travis all locked into the postseason, the Maroons and Bulldogs will duke it out in what amounts to an elimination game Friday night (11/1) at House Park in the VYPE Central Texas High School Football Game of the Week, simulcast on 102.7 FM ESPN Austin radio.
Bowie has had more success in recent years. The Bulldogs (2-3, 6-3) have played nine straight weeks, with their Bye coming next week, so it’s “do or die” for the Dawgs. While Westlake and Lake Travis handled them with relative ease, Bowie nearly knocked off Dripping Springs, falling 38-35 on October 11th.
Senior quarterback Cruz Tello (99-163, 1,620 Yds., 18 TDs, 6 INTs) and senior running back Kayson Mathabela (130-680, 5.2 YPC, 11 TDs) power a Bowie offense that’s racked up 33 points per game.
Austin High (2-2, 4-4) also fell to both Westlake and Drip by identical 49-7 scores and will close out the regular season against Lake Travis. (The Maroons could technically lose to Bowie and upset Lake Travis but the Bulldogs would have the tiebreaker.)
Senior running back Bryson Batts (72-603, 8.4 YPC, 7 TDs rushing; 16-323, 20.2 YPC, 3 TDs) keys the Maroons offense with senior quarterback John Latham (56-123, 799 Yds., 6 TD, 9 INT) under center.
Westlake and Lake Travis met last week in the “Battle of the Lakes” and Dripping Springs beat everyone else they had to beat to punch their ticket. That means it’s Austin High vs. Bowie in a clash between two Austin ISD mainstays to see who will move on to the playoffs.
What: Austin High vs. BowieWhen: 7:00 Pregame, 7:30 Kickoff
Where: House Park
Who: David Roy, Paul Longoria, James Scott
Watch: https://www.vype.com/7-30pm-football-austin-high-vs-bowie-2669496638
Listen: 102.7 FM ESPN Austin, https://www.1027espn.com/
Note: While we broadcast for both schools, just the Austin High broadcast will be simulcast on radio as they are the Home Team.