GAMES
RANKINGS
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 SATX Preseason Basketball Rankings; Brennan, Wagner looking tough
The game has changed as we enter the new season.
Similar to how the football postseason is played, the UIL has split the upcoming basketball playoff format into two divisions -- meaning there will be more state champs, and one less game needed to acquire the title.
Out of San Antonio, there are a numbers of programs, on both the boys' and girls' side, that could potentially make their way to their backyard of the Alamodome.
For the boys, Veterans Memorial (5A) reached that point last year. But, as it stands, Brennan and Wagner seem to be poised for another lengthy run this winter. Don't sleep on Harlan, Somerset, or Jay, though.
Meanwhile, the Brennan and Boerne girls' programs wound up in the state final-four a year ago, and will be eager to repeat that effort, with Wagner, Churchill, Cibolo Steele, and Harlan right on their heels.
As teams begin their respective tournament seasons, it's time to examine the most elite teams that the San Antonio-area has to offer in 2025.
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VYPE SATX BOYS TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
*Last section indicates 2024 result
1. Brennan Bears (6A) -- 31-5; 16-0 in District (Regional Semifinalists)
2. SA Wagner Thunderbirds (5A) -- 24-12; 9-5 (Regional Semifinalists)
3. Harlan Hawks (6A) -- 23-12; 10-6 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
4. Somerset Bulldogs (4A) -- 26-12; 12-0 (Regional Semifinalists)
5. Jay Mustangs (5A) -- 24-9; 10-6 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
6. SA Jefferson Mustangs (5A) -- 21-16; 12-4 (Area Finalists)
7. SA Veterans Memorial Patriots (5A) -- 40-2; 14-0 (State Semifinalists)
8. O'Connor Panthers (6A) -- 26-13; 10-6 (Regional Finalists)
9. Boerne-Champion Chargers (5A) -- 31-6; 12-2 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
10. Floresville Tigers (4A) -- 26-9; 9-3 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
Honorable Mentions: New Braunfels, Davenport, East Central, Alamo Heights, Clemens
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VYPE SATX GIRLS TOP-10 (Class 6A-4A)
1. Brennan Bears (6A) -- 32-4; 16-0 in District (State Semifinalists)
2. Boerne Greyhounds (5A) -- 34-5; 10-2 (State Semifinalists)
3. SA Wagner Thunderbirds (5A) -- 29-5; 14-0 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
4. SA Churchill Chargers (6A) -- 28-11; 12-4 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
5. Cibolo Steele Knights (6A) -- 29-9; 9-1 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
6. Harlan Hawks (6A) -- 21-12; 12-4 (Regional Semifinalists)
7. SA MacArthur Brahmas (5A) -- 25-12; 15-1 (Area Finalists)
8. Clark Cougars (6A) -- 33-3; 15-1 (Regional Finalists)
9. Floresville Tigers (4A) -- 24-14; 10-2 (Regional Quarterfinalists)
10. Sotomayor Wildcats (6A) -- 23-10; 11-5 (Area Finalists)
Honorable Mentions: Brandeis, McCollum, Southside, East Central