Liberty Hill ends Bastrop 9-game win streak, earns district title

With his surname tatooed on his right forearm, Alister Vallejo forces a fumble by Bastrop's Weston Nielsen

By Jim Irish

Photos by Mikala Compton/Austin American Statesman

Two plays keyed Liberty Hill’s 48-14 victory for the District 11-5A Division II crown at Liberty Hill’s Panther Stadium on Friday.

First, the Panthers (8-2 overall, 7-0 in district) recovered a fumble by Bastrop running back Gary Jefferson and converted it for a touchdown and a 22-7 lead with 30 seconds remaining in the half.

Up to that point, Liberty Hill had gained a 14-7 advantage, but it was hit with a facemask that moved Bastrop into Panther territory.

Second, on the opening play of the second half, Liberty Hill running back Dylan Belinga burst into the open and went 87 yards untouched.

”Those two plays were definitely momentum changers,” Liberty Hill first-year coach David Seaborn said. “Our defense was already playing well, and the fumble recovery fueled our fire even more. It gave our sideline a spark and allowed us to extend the lead.

"Those two plays were definitely momentum changers."

-- Liberty Hill head coach David Seaborn

Belinda’s run was the clincher.

”The guys executed coming out of the break, and that big run set the tone for the rest of the half,” Seaborn said.

Liberty Hill running back Dylan Belinga (2) broke an 87-yard run to drop the hammer on Bastrop

Bastrop, ranked No. 8 in Class 5A Division II by Dave Campbell, had entered the showdown with nine consecutive wins and 16 of its last 17 dating to last season. One was a 35-31 come-from-behind win in the final two minutes at Memorial Stadium over Liberty Hill for the district title.

Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl briefly said after the game, (We had our) “a-- whupped.”

The Bears (9-1, 6-1) had success limiting Liberty Hill’s vaunted Slot-T run game last year, but it was not the case Friday. The Panthers rumbled for 481 yards, leaving Bastrop breathless.

The Panthers used the Slot-T with an emphasis on misdirection to perfection. Belinga sped for 204 yards and one touchdown. Preston Benefield (96 yards, 2 TDs), Jack Pritchard (77 yards, 2 TDs), and Bryce Muchaw (49 yards) added to the onslaught.

Meanwhile, Bastrop’s offense never found a rhythm. Running back Gary Jefferson, averaging 120 yards a game, was limited to 67 on 10 attempts. He broke a run of 47 yards in the third quarter, but Liberty Hill squashed the series on a fumble by quarterback Weston Nielsen.

”Our plan was to limit their run game and be disciplined in (pass) coverage,” Seaborn said.

"Our plan was to limit their run game and be disciplined in (pass) coverage."

-- Seaborn

Nielsen faced fierce pressure from Liberty Hill’s defensive front. Defensive tackle Alister Vallejo, a University of Michigan commit, blew by Bastrop offensive linemen, constantly chasing Nielsen out of the pocket. At 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, Vallejo grabbed Nielsen by one hand in the second quarter and tossed him like a sack of potatoes. He had three sacks and after big plays turned to the crowd and flex.

Nielsen, averaging 260 yards passing a game, was limited to 165 yards. He came in with 37 touchdowns but threw none against Liberty Hill.

He completed 20-of-31 passes, but several were dropped. The Bears were without their game-breaking receiver Dallas Crescenzo, who has missed four games with a leg injury.

Nielsen and Jefferson scored a touchdown each on short runs.

Bastrop had the ball in the red zone late in fourth quarter but came up empty on fourth down incomplete pass at the seven.

Bastrop will challenge San Antonio Burbank in the bi-district round of the state playoffs. Burbank (4-5, 4-2) finished third in District 12-5A.

Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas