The Brownwood Lions were defeated Friday night on the road by the Liberty Hill Panthers 43-36, fighting all the way to the end.
Brownwood High School Athletic Director and Head Coach Chuck Howard was proud of the team’s effort throughout the game. With injuries from prior games and more during this game, many young players had a chance to play against a very good Liberty Hill.
“Defensively, we didn’t stop the football,” Howard stated. “The team’s effort was tremendous, there was no lack of effort, we were down over 20 points and scored two times and stopped them in the 4th quarter.”
Howard stated that Liberty Hill is a very good football team. He explained that he was proud of how his young team had faced them with continued effort.
“I thought we really had some players step up,” said Howard. “That’s what you have to have, players ready to come into the game at any time, ready to contribute.”
The most disappointing part, according to Coach Howard, was in the third quarter, as the Lions were ahead 22-21, they stopped the Panthers at a 4th and 7 situation; however, a personal foul on the Lions gave Liberty Hill the first down. This allowed them to eventually score both a touchdown and a two point conversion, giving the Panthers momentum leading to two additional touchdowns.
Howard stated that although the game was played on a windy and rainy night, he felt the team performed well and was not affected by the weather.
One thing Howard stated he wished he could go back and change would be an unsuccessful 48 yard field goal attempt. The Lions were in a 4th and 5 yard position at that point in the game. He stated, “If I could do it again I would have tried to get the 1st down.” He stated that Abraham Oviedo is a good kicker and that the team tries to get points when they can.
Howard explained that despite the outcome of the game, he was extremely proud of the Lions.
“I’m extremely proud of the effort of our players. The effort we have had in these first three games, I’m so proud. There’s a few things we could have done a few things differently to win,” said Howard. “We’ll look at this film and see what we have to correct. We’re going to continue to improve.”
Howard stated that he is looking forward to the Lions facing another very good team as they play Alvarado High School next Friday at Gordon Wood Stadium for the Lions’ homecoming.
“We want to be a blue collar team that’s tough and physical,” said Howard. “This will be a great game for us, another challenge for us.” Alvarado has been close to a state championship and the team has lots of tradition, Howard explained.
He encouraged Lions’ fans to come to the game next Friday, enjoy homecoming and show support for the team.
“I’m looking forward to homecoming, I look forward to having everyone home,” said Howard. “I love our kids, love their effort. We’re going to fix some things and we’re going to be ready.”
Visit the Brownwood News Facebook page for photos from Friday’s game or Click Here to go directly to the photo gallery.
Scoring Plays:
Q1
8:30 7-0 Set up by an interception by Bruce Sterling, Harley Price makes a 2 yd run for the touchdown completing a 3 play 20 yd drive in 0:55. Oviedo makes the extra point.
7:45 7-6 LHHS scores as Jon Shannon makes a 68 yd rushing touchdown ending the 75 yd drive in 2 plays.
4:24 15-6 Isaac Sanchez scores in a 13 yard reception, completing t he 8 play 71 yd drive. Lions get the 2 point conversion.
Q2
9:58 15-13 After BHS throws for an interception, Shannon makes a 5 yd run for the touchdown ending LHHS’s 13 yard drive in 3 plays. The extra point is good.
5:01 15-21 LHHS scores again on a 4 yd run by Hunter Lindsey, which completed a 49 yd drive in 8 plays. Lindsay also makes the 2 point conversion.
0:14 22-21 Brownwood Lions come from behind with 14 seconds left in the half as a 5 yd reception is made by Connor Howard for the touchdown. This completed a 15 play 75 yd drive in 4:46. Oveido makes the extra point.
Q3
5:10 22-29 Liberty Hill kept possession of the ball burning time off the clock as QB Nick Hernandez runs 5 yds for the touchdown, ending a 13 play, 75 yd drive in 5:50. They then make the 2 point conversion.
1:25 22-36 Hernandez dashes 38 yds for the touchdown ending the 70 yd drive in 4 plays. The extra point is good.
11:04 22-43 Hernandez makes a 52 yd rushing touchdown giving Liberty Hill their 3rd touchdown of the 3rd quarter. The extra point is good.
Q4
7:05 29-43 Price makes the Lions’ first touchdown in the second half, running 32yds on a pass play. Oviedo makes the extra point.
4:18 36-43 After an onside kick that was picked up by Grant Lewis, Brownwood gets the ball back and Price scores on a 32 yd pass play ending a 47 yd drive in 8 plays in 2:47.
Liberty Hill got the kickoff and held onto the ball the remainder of the game.
Statistics:
——————————————————–BHS—————-LHHS————
Total Yards 320 407
Rushing Yards 104 407
Passing Yards 216 0
1st Downs 23 20
Punts 2/Avg. 41.5 yds 0
Penalties 5/70 yards 9/75 yards
Turnovers 1 pass picked 1 pick, 3 fumbles
Individual Statistics:
BHS:
Colt Bertrand 17 yds rushing, 20/33 for 216 yds passing
Harley Price 82 yds rushing, 21 yds in 4 receptions
Connor Howard 8 receptions
LHHS:
Nick Hernandez 141 yds rushing, 1 pass which was picked.
Jon Shannon 117 yds rushing
