LH INDEPENDENT 12-9-21

City water supply receives contaminant violations from TCEQ

By RACHEL MADISON Staff

Writer

Are Liberty Hill residents at an increased risk of getting cancer from their drinking water?

In mid-November, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) notified the City that the drinking water being supplied to customers had exceeded the maximum contaminant level for both combined radium and gross alpha. But according to City Administrator Lacie Hale, the well that tested high for these mediums is not currently operational, meaning no one has been drinking the potentially cancer-causing water.

“Those test results came from a well that is not operating,” Hale told The Independent last week. “It wouldn’t have gotten into our water system because it’s not at this point an operating well. TCEQ has to test it because it’s not decommissioned.”

Hale added that TCEQ assesses all the City’s well sites quarterly, including this one, even though it’s not operational and people are not drinking any water from it.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has established the maximum contaminant level for combined radium to be 5 pico curies per liter (pCi/L) based on the running annual average. Anything above that is considered a health concern. Based on the analysis of drinking water in Liberty Hill, the combined radium value for the third quarter of 2021 was 6 pCi/L.

The maximum contaminant level for gross alpha is 15 pCi/L based on a running annual average, according to the EPA. TCEQ’s analysis of gross alpha in Liberty Hill’s drinking water showed a value of 16 pCi/L in quarter three of 2021.

These levels are not considered an emergency, according to TCEQ, but some who drink water containing radium or alpha emitters in excess of the limit over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer. There are currently 30 community public water systems in Texas that have violations for exceeding the level for gross alpha and/or combined radium, according to TCEQ.

Water Superintendent Trey Evans said the City has

City sees high staff turnover

By RACHEL MADISON

Staff Writer

For the last several months, it’s been a revolving door of exits from various staff at the City of Liberty Hill, by means of both termination and resignation.

The dominoes first started to fall when Becky Wilkins, finance director and human resources director, was terminated in August for “discourteous conduct and substandard productivity in workmanship” by the City Council.

Closer to the top Liberty Hill senior Andon Thomas (#10) and teammates celebrate a touchdown during the Panthers’ 43-40 Class 5A Division II state

next

in

last Friday.

Police, Judge encourage students to stop vaping, make healthier choices

By KRISTEN MERIWETHER Staff Writer

E-cigarettes have become a common alternative to traditional cigarettes with many preferring the more discrete way to consume nicotine.

But students bringing e-cigarettes onto Liberty Hill campuses could find themselves in Justice of the Peace Court. All LHISD campuses are both drug and tobacco-free zones, meaning it’s against the law to bring it on campus, regardless of age.

The LHISD Police Department reported 16 instances of minors in possession from August 1 through Oct. 31, according to a Field Incident Report provided to the Board of Trustees at their November meeting. The instances could be for alcohol or tobacco, however, The Independent was unable to view the individual reports due to privacy laws.

The same report showed five cases of possession of drug paraphernalia and three possession of a controlled substance, penalty group two, which includes concentrated THC oil found in vape pens. Due to privacy laws the names of the students, location of the incidents, and detail of each incident were not provided.

For LHISD police officers, the goal is not to wrack up arrests or issue tickets. Instead, officials say they want to protect students and help them make healthier choices.

“We try to change the way the kids think and the way they act to make better decisions,” LHISD Chief of Police Sharif Mezayek told The Independent

He said they refer students caught with e-cigarettes to a judge who can give the students a penalty or send them through a program to help curb the behavior.

Christmas Festival to transform downtown

By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer

For the first time in its history, the Liberty Hill Christmas Festival will be turning the epicenter of downtown into a winter wonderland for the community on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event, hosted by the City of Liberty Hill, offers attendees a variety of activities along Loop 332 from RM 1869 to CR 279. The City is expecting thousands of people to join in the fun.

“I hired a company to do analytics on our past two festi-

vals to get accurate numbers, and for Whimsy and Wonder this year we had 3,000 attendees, and for Fourth of July we had 7,000. I’m thinking this festival will bring in closer to Fourth of July numbers—I think we’ll see several thousand people there,” said Katie Amsler, Communications Manager for the City.

About 75 vendors will be lined up and down Main Street, Myrtle Street and Grange Street for holiday shopping.

“We also have a couple of

“Getting these kids in programs that will open their eyes and guide them to make better decisions, that’s what we want,” Mezayek said. “We don’t want to ruin a kid’s life.”

Many of the first-time nicotine offenders end up in Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Edna Staudt’s court. The students face the judge with their parents and enter a plea.

“It is a very serious thing to walk into a courtroom. You realize that you’re in a place you’ve never been before. And it’s that way for a reason,” said Judge Staudt. “An offense of any kind can be detrimental to your life, to your career, etc. So we want them to know we take it seriously.”

For those who plead guilty, Judge Staudt can assess a punishment, but her options for teens are more than just jail, a fine or community service. She works to find out the underlying reasons for the bad

choice and in many cases will get the teens into programs such as anger management, tobacco education, mentorship or teen court.

Staudt said the programs can help youth not only learn to make better choices, but stand up for the choices they know are right—even in the face of peer pressure.

“They need encouragement to stand up for what they believe,” Staudt said. “If they’re going to accept the fact that it is bad for you, it’s not something they want to ruin their life with, then how do we empower them to make the right choice?”

Staudt said the first part of that is to help students understand how unhealthy tobacco and drugs actually are.

“If it’s illegal, there’s a reason for it to be illegal. And it’s not because we don’t want

In September, a discussion about the need to hire an IT company for the City of Liberty Hill led to the public revelation that City offices and employees may have been under improper surveillance for an unknown period of time, which led to the resignation of IT Director Randy Hodges.

At the time of his resignation and the hiring of an IT company in September, City Administrator Lacie Hale said, “There’s not been a clear demonstration of professional behavior from our IT director, so with that, I made the decision to bring UniVista on board because I wanted to secure IT operations for the City of Liberty Hill.”

In November, the assistant city secretary and city secretary resigned. Hale told The Independent Friday she didn’t know if the two resignations were related.

Terry Ruiz, who was hired as assistant city secretary in July, was the first to resign. As of press time Wednesday, there was no response to an open records request from The Independent seeking Ruiz’s resignation letter.

On Nov. 18, City Secretary Nancy Sawyer sent her resignation letter from a personal email address to Hale, Mayor Liz Branigan and Interim Finance Director Misti Hancock.

The letter stated: “Please accept this as my letter of

quarterfinal victory over Alamo Heights at Bobcat Stadium at Texas State University

San Marcos

Liberty Hill will

face Crosby in a rematch of last season’s state semifinal at Merrill Green Stadium in Bryan this Friday with an opportunity to advance to the state championship game at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Dec. 18.

On November 30, 2021, Larry Allman passed away unexpectedly in his home in Liberty Hill, Texas. Larry was 64 years old.

Larry was born on September 14, 1957 in Paris, France. He graduated Georgetown High School in 1976 and went on to join the US Air Force from 1976-1980. He went to Ranger Junior College from 19811982 before transferring to Tarleton State University from 1983-1984.

Larry worked with Williamson County for 25 years before he decided to retire.

Larry was always, by far, the most “Colorful Character” in Liberty Hill.

He had endless energy and a strong sense of purpose that made it feel like he was running circles around you. There are a lot of things you could call Larry Allman, but boring is not one of them. He made it his mission to laugh, learn, and

Larry Allman

September 14, 1957 - November 30, 2021

have as much fun as possible while he was on this Earth.

Larry held those he loved close to his heart and was always one to jump in and help anyone who needed it.

He loved to play golf, and he was really good at it! So many people tried to get him to join teams and leagues, but he just played for fun.

Larry was not an animal person at all; but, when he found the right dog that was for him, he spoiled them rotten. They were his loving and loyal companions for many years.

Larry was a proud father of 3 beautiful girls, and a loving grandfather of 11. Canyon, Mason, Sophie, Morgan, Sky, Addy, Tyler, Hunter, Levi, Kenzie & Chance. He loved each and every one of them so much, and I know he was looking forward to seeing what type of young men and women they would turn out to be. All of the grand babies knew

that when they went to grandpa’s house, they were going to have a great time. And could expect him to be waiting for them with an animal mask on the front porch. He always had homemade ice cream ready for them in the summer and homemade Rice Krispy treats in the winter months.

Larry Allman lived like no one else, so he could LIVE like no one else.

He is going to be missed by so many, and we know that his memory and stories will keep him alive and well in this town for many decades to come.

Larry is survived by his mother, Jane Allman of Liberty Hill, Texas. Three daughters: Megan Delynn Conradt of Pflugerville, TX., Courtney Danielle Merritt from Rogers, TX, & Ashley Renee Meadows from Lorena, TX. His brother, John Allman of LH TX. His three sisters, Becky Brizendine of Bertram, TX.

Jessica McLane of Bertram, TX. Angel Allman of LH, TX. And his brother, Matt Allman of Leander, TX. And his life long best friend Bobby Brown of LH, TX. Larry was preceded in death by his father Roy Allman, his sister Linda Nelson and his Grandson Mason Merritt. A memorial will be held at a later date. The family will give further notice on the day and time.

Week of Nov. 29 - Dec. 5

The Liberty Hill Police Department responded to or self-initiated a total of 525 incidents resulting in 10 cases, 47 citations, 63 warnings and no arrests.

Weekly Highlights:

- On Nov. 29 at approximately 7:31AM, officers responded to the 100 block of US 183 for an alarm call.

- On Nov. 29 at approximately 2:22 PM, officers responded to the 13000 block of W. SH 29 for an alarm call.

- On Nov. 29 at approximately 7:22 PM, officers responded to the 12000 block of W. SH 29 for suspicious activity.

- On Nov. 29 at approximately 9:06 PM, officers responded to Drystone Trail to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Nov. 29 at approximately

9:28 PM, officers responded to Liberty Meadows Drive for a mental health call.

- On Nov. 30 at approximately 7:35 AM, officers responded to Loop 332 for school zone enforcement.

- On Nov. 30 at approximately 8:17 AM, officers responded to Purser St. for a welfare concern.

- On Nov. 30 at approximately 3:57 PM, officers responded to Mount Vernon Way for a theft complaint.

- On Nov. 30 at approximately 7:48 PM, officers responded to Trellis Blvd. for an agency assist call.

- On Nov. 30 at approximately 9:33PM, officers responded to Carson Ave for a welfare concern.

- On Dec. 1 at approximately 7:06 AM, officers responded to Horseshoe Loop for a 911 silent call.

- On Dec. 1 at approximately 7:11 AM, officers responded to the 900 block of Loop 332 for a traffic hazard.

- On Dec. 1 at approximately 4:27 PM, officers responded to the 12000 block of W. SH 29 for a prior accident.

- On Dec. 1 at approximately 7:15 PM, officers responded to Agave Azul Way for a welfare concern.

- On Dec. 1 at approximately 7:30 PM, officers responded to Centuryplant Rd for a disturbance.

- On Dec. 1 at approximately 9:32 PM, officers responded to the 3000 block of CR 200 to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Dec. 2 at approximately 8:54 AM, officers responded to Summit Park Cv. for an alarm call.

- On Dec. 2 at approximately 10:44 AM, officers responded to Constitution St. for a welfare concern.

- On Dec. 2 at approximately 2:18 PM, officers responded to the intersection of W. SH 29 and CR 214 for an accident.

- On Dec. 2 at approximately 3:38 PM, officers responded to the intersection of W. SH 29 and RM 1869 for an accident.

- On Dec. 2 at approximately 7:24 PM, officers responded to the 10000 block of W. SH 29 for a traffic hazard.

- On Dec. 2 at approximately 11:14 PM, officers responded to King Elder Ln to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Dec. 3 at approximately 11:05 AM, officers responded to the 11000 block of W. SH 29 for a disturbance.

- On Dec. 3 at approximately

1:30 PM, officers responded to the 10000 block of W. SH 29 for an accident.

- On Dec. 3 at approximately 2:58 PM, officers responded to the intersection of US 183 and W. SH 29 for a disturbance.

- On Dec. 3 at approximately 8:18 PM, officers responded to Rebel Red Rd. to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Dec. 4 at approximately 7:38 AM, officers responded to Geminaflora Bend for a welfare check.

- On Dec. 4 at approximately 2:26 PM, officers responded to Hoot Owl Lane to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Dec. 4 at approximately 9:19 PM, officers responded to Agave Azul Way for an alarm call.

- On Dec. 4 at approximately 10:38 PM, officers responded to Cherry Tree for a disturbance.

- On Dec. 4 at approximately 10:54 PM, officers responded to the 400 block of US 183 for a disturbance.

- On Dec. 5 at approximately 12:59 AM, officers responded to the 16000 block of W. SH 29, to assist the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office.

- On Dec. 5 at approximately 2:50 AM, officers responded to Desert Rd for an alarm call.

- On Dec. 5 at approximately 10:07 AM, officers responded to Green Egret Way for a theft complaint.

- On Dec. 5 at approximately 5:08 PM, officers responded to CR 200 for a traffic hazard.

- On Dec. 5 at approximately 8:38 PM, officers responded to Munk Lane for a suspicious vehicle.

cation purposes.

K9 chosen for LHPD

By RACHEL MADISON Staff Writer

The Liberty Hill Police Department is one step closer to gaining a new officer—in the form of a K9 named Fido—after a group of dogs from Poland were vetted for the position by Girl Scout Jillian Hamrick, a 15-year-old sophomore at Liberty Hill High School, and Brad Langham, owner of Pacesetter K9 in Liberty Hill.

Hamrick, who is a senior member of Troop 40101, has spent the last several months working on her Gold Award through the Girl Scouts of America, which is the highest award that can be earned as a Girl Scout. She decided for her award, she would train and donate a K9 to the LHPD.

Hamrick and Langham, along with Gina Giachetti, Hamrick’s troop leader and mother, traveled to Poland in October to choose the dogs with the most potential. Six were chosen to come to Liberty Hill, and after a couple of weeks of analysis, Fido, a nearly 2-year-old German shepherd, came out as the best option for LHPD because of his unique talents.

VAPE

Girl Scout Jillian Hamrick stands with Fido, the German shepherd chosen to be the K9 for the Liberty Hill Police Department.

(Courtesy Photo)

“Fido popped out ahead of the other dogs because he is a beast and super cute,” Hamrick said. “His search drive seems to come natural, and he is also

Continued from Page 1

you to have fun,” Staudt said.

“There’s a reason there’s a warning label on all the cigarette packages these days. Tobacco is harmful to your health. That’s proven.”

E-cigarettes, which entered the market in 2007, were originally marketed as a “safer alternative” to smoking tobacco. E-cigarettes were sleek and cool looking, and were available in a variety of flavors. Social media influenced their popularity.

Since 2014, they have been the most commonly used tobacco product among youth, according to a fact sheet provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services. A January DSHS report showed that in 2020, 14.3% of Texas high school students and 7.1% of middle school students self-reported using e-ciga-

rettes.

But as more research has been done, the negative effects of vaping are starting to show, especially among teens and young adults. The nicotine pods, which are equivalent to one pack of cigarettes, contain over 31 different chemicals, including formaldehyde.

The most common flavoring ingredient is diacetyl, a compound known to cause bronchiolitis obliterans, known as “popcorn lung,” according to DSHS. The disease scars the tiny air sacs in the lung, causing a thickening and narrowing of the airways, which can lead to wheezing and shortness of breath.

Prior to the pandemic, the Center for Disease Control began studying e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). Often

great at tracking.”

Hamrick’s next step is to work with Fido to get him ready for his new job, which will most likely begin in February 2022.

found in chronic users, the disease has sent thousands to the hospital since research began in 2019.

Much of the research was paused during the pandemic, but a January DSHS report showed 150 confirmed cases of EVALI in Texas with 130 classified as probably. Four deaths have been reported.

Jennifer Steele, Associate Director of Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement at the Texas School Safety Center told The Independent that the pandemic has exacerbated vaping habits among youth.

“These kids are stressed out, they have more reason to vape and to need these products,” Steele said. “That kind of makes it even worse, or even more of a critical thing that we have to focus on.”

Shin Oak Ridge Bulletin Board

Send news to: News@LHIndependent.com

Lions Club Food Drive for Operation Liberty Hill

The Liberty Hill Lions Club will be holding a food drive Dec. 12 for Operation Liberty Hill’s Christmas baskets. The drive will be held at Cross Tracks Church, 101 Church Street.

The church will be having a tree lighting and caroling event, starting at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to come enjoy hot chocolate and cookies as well as singing Christmas carols as the tree is lit.

Please bring any of these items that will be placed in the Christmas baskets:

1 lb. canned hams, 29 or 15 oz. canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup,

The Community Resource Centers of Texas Inc. is collecting new blankets now through Dec. 31 at its Liberty Hill location.

The organization plans to use the donated blankets to assist in cold weather preparedness efforts. When Winter Storm Uri hit Texas in February, the CRC was able to help more than 100 families and was one of the primary emergency supply distribution centers in Burnet County.

“We want to be prepared to serve our community heading into this winter,” said CRC Executive Director Lucy Murphy in a news release.

Donations will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday-Friday through Dec. 31, excluding holiday closures at the Williamson County center at 155 Hillcrest Lane, Suite B, in Liberty Hill.

Donors also have the option

County honors victims of violent crime with Tree of Angels ceremony

fried onions, potato flakes, 29 or 15 oz canned corn, 29 oz. canned yams, 1 oz. campfire

mini-marshmallows, canned peaches, canned pears, 1-2 lbs dry pinto beans, 15 oz. cornbread mix, 5 lb. masa flour, cookie mix, ground coffee, cocoa mix, tea bags, 2-5 lbs. sugar, 5 lb. flour, powdered sugar.

Judge Greenleaf

Fisk Chapter meets Dec. 11

The Judge Greenleaf Fisk Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas will have its annual Christmas meeting and party on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. at Jardin Corona in Liberty Hill.

By KRISTEN MERIWETHER Staff Writer

GEORGETOWN -- Williamson County law enforcement agencies joined forces with the District Attorney’s Office on Monday evening for the ninth annual Tree of Angels ceremony.

The Tree of Angels, which began nationally in 1991, honors surviving victims of violent crime and victims’ families by providing a community tree for loved ones to decorate with angel ornaments.

At this year’s ceremony, the Round Rock Police Department Honor Guard escorted each row of family members seated in the packed 26th District Courtroom as they placed ornaments on the tree and photos of their lost loved ones at the base.

to purchase new blankets online.

“We are always thankful for the community support we receive and look forward to sharing the warmth of this holiday season with our clients,” Murphy said. For more information on the blanket drive, contact Maryum Mitchell at 830-6930700 or info@crctx.org.

Community Resource Centers of Texas Inc. is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization serving rural communities in Central Texas since 2005. With locations in Burnet, Blanco, Llano, and Williamson counties, each center provides free office space for nonprofit and local government organizations to create a one-stop shop for health and social services. Visit www. crctx.org or call 830-6930700 to learn more.

“Please remember the good that each of these angels on this tree brought into the world, and share it with those who are here,” Assistant District Attorney Will Ward said. “Gather that goodness in yourself, and give it to our community.” Williamson County Sheriff Mike Gleason read a proclamation naming Dec. 6 “Tree of Angels Day” and all four County Constables lit candles representing peace, healing and hope.

Chamber celebrates PB Cafe

Beans Coffee, is owned by Ron and Angie Diaz (center). The coffee shop and cafe are located at 2080 US Hwy 183 in Leander. (Courtesy Photo)

The Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of PB Cafe with a ceremonial ribbon cutting recently. The new cafe, which is adjacent to Perky

‘Unfinished business’ for Panthers against Crosby

LHHS will face the team that ended 2020 season

By SCOTT AKANEWICH

Sports Editor

Last year, Liberty Hill’s dreams of a trip to the state championship game ended on the field at Merrill Green Stadium, when a two-point conversion that would have propelled the Panthers to a date in Dallas failed, resulting in a heartbreaking, 62-61 overtime loss to Crosby.

This year, the Purple-andGold will return to Bryan for a rematch with the Cougars in the hopes of vanquishing the ghosts that have haunted them since that fateful day that dropped the curtain on what had been a courageous, memorable postseason run, with a chance to rewrite the sad ending into a happy one this time around.

According to head coach Kent Walker, the opportunity for redemption against Crosby factors into his team’s mindset leading up to the contest.

ness – it’s going to be a great game.”

All indications are the game should end up being another high-scoring affair, as that has been the modus operandi for both teams so far through the first four rounds of the playoffs, with the lone exception being the Cougars’ 14-7 win over Texas last week.

Liberty Hill is coming into the contest fresh on the heels of a 43-40 victory over Alamo Heights and are averaging 51.7 points per game and 495 rushing yards per game, while Crosby is averaging 47.7 points and 518.2 yards of total offense, as the Cougars feature a well-balanced offense that is equally effective on the ground and in the air.

Although the teams may be the same for the rematch, much of the personnel on both sides has changed. Crosby is led by dual-threat junior quarterback Cyrin Myles, who has thrown for 2,332 yards to go with 31 touchdowns and only three interceptions and rushed for 1,215

yards and 20 touchdowns, while senior running back Quincy Jones is the Cougars’ leading rusher with 1,363 yards and 17 scores and senior wideout Kameren Kirkwood is Crosby’s receiving leading with 1,035 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“They’re every bit as good –if not better – than they were last year,” said Walker. “But, I also think we’re just as good or better.”

Of course, the Panthers’ offensive machine is anything but balanced, but it’s just as explosive and has added a brandnew weapon out of the backfield in recent weeks in senior Andon Thomas, who has been moonlighting from his usual linebacker spot in also performing fullback duties across the line of scrimmage and was Liberty Hill’s leading rusher against Alamo Heights with 110 yards on 11 carries and a pair of touchdowns.

Noah Long leads the Panthers with 1,911 yards on 218

-

Liberty Hill’s Cayden Branch (#4) uses conditioning from cross country in helping him as an effective three-point shooter in basketball.

Bringing along the youngsters

By SCOTT AKANEWICH

Sports Editor

When Chris Lange looks down his bench during games, he sees plenty of experience in the eight seniors he has at his disposal, but the Liberty Hill head coach also has an infusion of young talent this season that needs to be cultivated.

But, he can’t do it alone.

Those players who have already been there and done that as varsity rookies themselves and faced the trials and tribulations of moving up to the highest level of high school hoops must be counted on to impart their considerable wisdom to their younger teammates.

Regan Walker was one of the newbies two years ago, debuting on the Lady Panthers’ varsity squad as a fresh-faced, bright-eyed sophomore who was trying to not be overwhelmed by the sudden increase in intensity and speed she was surrounded by when stepping foot on the court. A baptism by fire, indeed, but

one every young player must go through in order to forge the mettle needed to compete against seasoned competition.

However, even now as a veteran, Walker – whose shy, quiet nature off the court belies her frantic, hair-on-fire playing style between the lines – is still coming to grips with the fact as senior, she must now be the master rather than the apprentice.

“I think I need to do a better job of that,” said Walker. “But, I just try to lead by example and do the right things.”

All that and she must also keep her level of play strong in helping lead the Lady Panthers in the backcourt at the shooting guard position along with twin sister Madison running the point.

Through the early going of the campaign, Madison was the team’s leading scorer, but Lange said he would like to see Regan hoist the ball up more often to help ease the pressure on her sister to score.

Liberty Hill’s Logan Dyer (#12) crosses the goal line at the end of a 71-yard touchdown run during the Panthers’ 43-40 playoff win over Alamo Heights.

Running

and shooting Junior guard combines both disciplines

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor Cayden Branch is used

to doing two things well.

In the fall, he’s a member of the cross country team, chewing up miles on the trails.

But, when the winter months roll around and his running duties are done, he joins up with the Panthers’ basketball team, at which time he combines his conditioning with a sharpshooter’s touch from beyond the three-point arc.

Running and shooting.

The 6-foot-2 junior guard is never one to shy away from a long-distance effort, all the while running up and down the court in the Panthers’ fullcourt pressure system and his proficiency at both activities is a direct result of his involvement in both sports.

“Being in cross country allows me to be more conditioned for basketball,” said Branch. “Which is important with how we play.” Branch has always played basketball and was also a quarterback on the gridiron in his younger years, but once he got to high school, he faced an ultimatum from his father regarding his immediate athletic future, he said.

“My dad said in the fall I

either needed to play football or run cross country,” said Branch. “I really hated football because the practices were boring and I was a quarterback, so knowing how Liberty Hill plays, I didn’t like it.”

So, Branch took up cross country in order to gain better conditioning for his hoops exploits and along the way, a funny thing happened.

“I wasn’t very good at cross country at first,” he said. “But, I really wanted a letter jacket and I ended up making varsity in both my sophomore year.”

As Branch got stronger as a runner, he soon began to embrace the culture of his new teammates.

“Just the feeling of success – we had a really good season last year,” said Branch. “Also, the seniors we had last year like Cade Johnson and Isaiah Delagarza and this year with Jacob Russell and Greg Miller – they were all a big inspiration.”

Concerning his inspiration on the court, he lives by a singular philosophy.

“Three points are always better than two,” he said. “I’ve always had that kind of mindset.”

Whereby his penchant for launching shots from distance

is born, a hunger that requires a bit more energy to satisfy in the form of lower-body strength.

“As I got older and stronger, I began to use my legs more when I shoot,” said Branch. “It’s not really in the arms.”

However, Branch’s value to his basketball teammates can be measured in more than just threes, said head coach Barry Boren.

“Cayden is a very good shooter and that’s what he’s built his reputation as a player on,” he said. “But, there are a lot more areas where he can contribute to the team.”

Which comes in handy when Branch has something that befalls all shooters every so often – a slump.

“At times like that, I try to make up for it with things like defense,” said Branch.

However, when his shooting touch is on and the threes are falling like rain on opposing defenses, there’s certainly nothing like it, he said.

“It feels really good when I’m on a roll,” said Branch. “I know I’m doing good when the other coach has to take a time-out.”

Branch said he usually fires

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO See BRANCH, Page

See CROSBY, Page 7

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

Lange has a trio of intriguing freshmen on the roster in point guard Gabby Mundy, along with forwards Evie Bruce and Taylor Gaines and although Mundy has already seen plen-

of playing time backing up

Madison

harder

leading

Seniors like Regan Walker (#3) and Kenzy Wise (#14) must teach their younger Lady Panthers teammates how to properly adjust to the varsity style of play.

Lady Panthers have influx of youth on roster

Senior excelling on both sides of the ball

By SCOTT AKANEWICH

Sports Editor

There isn’t much Andon Thomas can’t do when the Liberty Hill senior steps onto a football field.

Sure, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound

linebacker has made his stock and trade as a defender for the past three seasons, but lately he’s heard his number being called across the line of scrimmage as a fullback in the Panthers’ vaunted Slot-T offense.

Not to mention much more.

Look no further than Liberty Hill’s 43-40 state quarterfinal victory over Alamo Heights as Exhibit A of the multi-positional threat Thomas has been bringing to the table.

In addition to a team-leading 13 tackles, Thomas was also the Panthers’ leading rusher with 110 yards on 11 carries, including touchdown runs of one and 33 yards.

Did we mention Thomas is also a special teams ace as the team’s punter and recovered a critical onside kick with the game in the balance against the Mules?

Seemingly, there’s no task too tall for the West Point-bound Thomas.

Or is there?

“He probably couldn’t play corner,” joked head coach

Kent Walker. “Seriously, though, the only word to truly describe Andon is special – he makes my job as a coach much easier.”

Although Thomas hadn’t run the ball on offense since he quarterbacked the Panthers’ freshman squad three years ago, when the time came for him to take handoffs once again, it was like riding a bicycle – and something he enjoyed immensely – for himself and his teammates, he said.

“It was pretty cool in being able to make a difference in the game like that,” said Thomas.

“I thought I would get a few carries, but not that many.”

After scoring on three straight runs of one yard over the course of the Rouse game and the Alamo Heights contest, Thomas busted a 33-yarder out of his bottomless bag of tricks in scoring what would prove to be the winning points with less than four minutes remaining.

Thomas said he was simply taking what the defense was giving him on the play.

“I got a couple critical blocks inside,” he said. “The safety was watching the other running backs, which left a lane.”

Despite the early struggles he and his teammates experienced over the course of a 2-2 start to

Congratulations to last week’s

said it’s even more gratifying to see where they are now compared to where they were all those weeks ago.

“It feels great to know all the work we’ve done has paid off,” he said. “We knew we had it in us – we just needed to

pick things up.”

Thomas has certainly picked

Senior linebacker Andon Thomas (#10) has added running back to his long list of duties in all three phases of the game for the Panthers in recent weeks. the season that included a pair of home losses – 12-7 to Ellison in the season opener and 41-34 against LBJ – Thomas

Thomas leads LHHS to state semis

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor

SAN MARCOS

-- Anyone who had Andon Thomas as Liberty Hill’s leading rusher on Friday night in the Panthers’ 43-40 Class 5A Division II state quarterfinal should’ve stopped and bought a lottery ticket on the way home from Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos. Because that’s exactly what transpired on the turf on the campus of Texas State University, as the senior linebacker rushed for a team-high 110 yards on 11 carries with a pair of touchdowns.

However, despite his bruising running ability and keen instincts on both sides of the

ball, Thomas was quick to credit a higher power for his prowess.

“I just look up to God before every play for what He wants me to do,” said Thomas, whose 33-yard, fourth quarter scoring burst up the middle provided what eventually proved to be the game’s winning points. “It’s just awesome I can come out here and help my brothers when they’re in trouble.”

Indeed, the Panthers were in a bit of a quandary for the second straight week, actually finding themselves trailing early on after Alamo Heights had received the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in eight plays for a 6-0 lead, then held a 19-14 halftime advantage.

The Mules were able to hold the Liberty Hill offense largely in check over the course of the first half due to the fact the Alamo Heights offense kept its counterparts on the sidelines for large stretches, as the Panthers had only four first-half possessions.

Despite being plagued by three false-start penalties on their opening series, the Panthers still manged to mount a 12-play, 70 drive resulting in quarterback Reese Vickers rolling out to his right and finding nothing but acres of space to run into for a 22-yard touchdown and with an extra point off the boot of Ethan

Liberty Hill sophomore Noah Long (#21) gained 80 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown in the Panthers’ 43-40 playoff victory over Alamo Heights last week.

Slot-T simply can’t be stopped

Senior youngest of four Panthers

By SCOTT AKANEWICH

Sports Editor

Every year since 2014, there has been a Brewer among the ranks of Liberty Hill varsity athletics, so when Aaron Brewer arrived on the high school campus three years ago as a freshman, his name certainly preceded him as he looked to make his own distinctive mark on Purple-and-Gold sports.

Ever since, he’s done just that – and a whole lot of growing.

Brewer currently stands 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 230 pounds at his hybrid linebacker/defensive end spot on the Liberty Hill defense and is currently ranked third on the team in tackles with 102 in averaging 7.2 stops per contest, in addition to four sacks, seven passes defended and two forced fumbles, all of which rank him second on the squad.

Older siblings -- brother Brady (football, basketball, track) and sister Tannis (softball) -- were still members of the athletic program when Aaron reached high school, while Jack (football) had already graduated. Although his family had already built a reputation for producing Panthers, he said he didn’t necessarily feel any extra pressure to succeed, but took some advice from Brady to heart as far as how he should approach his own experience.

“Brady told me no matter what you do – especially in the weight room – finish all the reps,” he said. “During games, it doesn’t matter if you mess up, just keep going fast and have confidence.”

Whatever Brewer has done over the course of his career has certainly paid off as he has committed to play football at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which is an NCAA Division I program that plays in the Mountain West Conference.

Head coach Kent Walker said Brewer definitely has the athleticism to fit right in at the highest level of college football.

“Aaron has tremendous length, which is something you can’t teach,” said Walker. “Anytime you have that kind of size, it’s beneficial.”

Brewer used his considerable reach to disrupt Alamo Heights’ passing game in the Panthers’ 43-40 playoff victory over the Mules by deflect-

Senior Aaron Brewer (#3) has an uncanny knack in getting his hands on the ball using his range and size to his advantage over opponents.

ing three passes at the line of scrimmage before they could find receivers downfield – a perfect example of what the rangy defender brings to the battle, said Walker.

“Aaron always has the potential to make plays that could be the difference in the game,” he said. “But, he still has a lot of upside.”

Brewer said there’s a science behind batting balls down at the line that goes beyond simply height and vertical leap ability.

“You just watch the quarterback’s hand on the ball and his body language,” he said.

“Along with the path of his arm.”

Away from the game, Brewer is an avid outdoorsman who can be found traversing wilderness in search of various animals while hunting on a piece of land his family owns, or fishing. Whatever he catches, he eats – but only if it’s cooked a certain way, he said.

“With deer, it has to be medium well,” said Brewer, who has also bagged turkeys, does and hogs as part of his hunting haul. “Anything more and it tends to be too dry.”

Brewer’s favorite subject in the classroom is math and he plans to study physical therapy in college in order to appease a particular desire he has within his moral code.

“I just want to do something where I can help people,” he said.

One more thing about Brewer.

He’s not your typical teenager when it comes to musical interests.

In fact, his favorite song at the moment happens to be a ballad that was recorded over 40 years.

“My grandma used to listen to ‘Tom Dooley,’ by The Kingston Trio,” said Brewer, of the San Francisco-area band’s song that reached No. 1 on the charts. “When I was young, she used to always have gospel music on in her car, so I really like old-school stuff.”

Of course, at some point, though, there was peer pressure to conform to more contemporary tastes, he said.

“(Teammate) Kade (McMahan) got me to listen to some rap,” said Brewer. “I never really got into that, but he influenced me.”

The only music opposing ballcarriers hear when encountering Brewer on the field are the bells in their heads after yet another crunching hit, which is just as he likes it.

Speaking of danger on a more serious note, he’s keenly aware of the fact his upcoming military service may put him in harm’s way in the defense of his country at some point. However, Brewer is confident his fate is in good hands.

“Sure, I think about the possibility, but there’s danger in everything you do,” he said.

“Even if you get the chance to sacrifice your life for your country, at the end of the day, it’s whatever God wills.”

By SCOTT AKANEWICH Sports Editor

We’ve come to realize something over the course of observing Liberty Hill football for the past three seasons.

The Panthers’ vaunted Slot-T offense simply can’t be stopped.

When sportscaster Dan Patrick was anchoring “SportsCenter” on ESPN, whenever there was a player or a team in a highlight segment who seemed virtually unstoppable, he would bust out one of his trademark catchphrases.

“You can’t stop (fill in the blank),” he would say. “You can only hope to contain him (them).”

Well, we’re here to tell you opponents who line up against the Purple-and-Gold offense can not only never dream of stopping it, but can’t even hope to contain the head-spinning, mesmerizing wrath and fury the Slot-T produces play after play over the course of a contest.

This isn’t just some trick or gadget play a team employs when desperate times call for desperate measures, either.

It’s a system designed to wear down opponents – physically and mentally – for an entire four quarters in order for the Panthers’ superior conditioning to win out in the end. We see it time and time again

it up and now with his added duties on offense, found himself on the field for over 80 plays against Alamo Heights.

But no worries, he said.

“I feel fine,” said Thomas. “I do a lot of extra cardio and make sure I’m eating right.”

As for what the Panthers need to do to get past Crosby and advance to the state title game after having come

as close games become blowouts in the fourth period – or as it’s known in these parts –“Panther Quarter.”

Case in point, Liberty Hill’s 56-33 victory over Rouse in the third round this season – a contest the Panthers only led by a pair of points at 35-33 entering Panther Quarter.

Well, guess what?

Twenty-one unanswered points later and the final score certainly didn’t reflect the ruggedness of the first three quarters, but the Raiders simply got exhausted in chasing all of the fakes, feints and follow-throughs they had been exposed to all night.

It’s a thing of beauty, really.

The Alamo Heights game last week was actually the Panthers’ lowest rushing total of the playoffs as the Mules were stubborn (sorry, had to use that one more time) in “containing” Liberty Hill by allowing “only” 416 yards, compared to the 520, 559 and 485 that were rolled up in the first three rounds, respectively.

In fact, the Panthers have failed to rush for more than 300 yards on only three occasions all season in averaging 391.6 on the ground and even those occurred under suspect conditions.

Liberty Hill put up only 284 yards in a 12-7 season-opening loss to Ellison when they were a vastly different read inexperienced with 11 new starters on offense) team than they are now, 287 in a blowout district win over Crockett in which the dogs (or in this case, the cats, get it?) were

so very close last season, he said the experience gained in recent postseasons has properly readied them for what lies ahead.

“It really helps we’ve been there before and played in big games,” said Thomas. “We trust in one another and know if we just go out, play our game, stay true to ourselves and don’t focus on anything

hoops Continued from Page 5

View on Dec. 14.

“We would like to give those girls a few more minutes,” said Lange. “But, the problem with young players who move up to varsity is now, all of a sudden when they’re out on the court, they not only need to remember A, B and C, but now X, Y and Z and all the other letters of the alphabet in between as far as what kind of plays we run.”

However, Lange said it’s still better for young players who are ready for the varsity skillwise to be on the squad even if it means getting limited action in games because they’re still exposed to what it takes to compete at that level – and what goes on away from the spotlight when the stands are empty is the most valuable learning environment.

“They’re still getting to practice against other varsity players,” he said. “But, sometimes it’s still a struggle to learn and

called off early and 284 in a 21-14 win over Marble Falls, who happens to run the Slot-T themselves, so they’re familiar with all its machinations.

We thought perhaps this season without the likes of graduated seniors Blake Simpson, Trey Seward and Eric De La Cruz the backfield and relatively inexperienced players taking their places, the proliferation wouldn’t be perhaps as prolific.

But, with the explosion of sophomore Noah Long on the scene along with the emergence of fellow second-year player Joe Pitchford and junior fullback Logan Dyer and senior Grady Flinn, the results have been nearly as devastating.

Which means the system is what really matters most.

Really the only way to overcome the Slot-T is to simply outscore it, knowing it’s going to chew up huge amounts of yardage, along with precious time off the clock in putting points on the board, which is what Crosby – this week’s opponent – did in last year’s state semifinal in a 6261 overtime win over the Panthers.

Not many teams of capable of such a feat.

As a result, we’ve ultimately come to the conclusion the Slot-T just can’t be stopped. Can it be slowed down a bit?

Sure – and a high-scoring offense of your own might give you a chance.

But, good luck in stopping or even hoping to contain it.

Not happening.

else, we’ll be fine.”

Despite his prolific offensive numbers of late, though, Thomas said he still prefers banging heads on his customary side of the line.

“Defense is what I love,” he said. “But, it feels good to contribute on both sides of the ball.”

BOYS BASKETBALL BRIEFS

Panthers triumph at Lorena

Liberty Hill went 4-0 at the Lorena tournament on Dec. 2-4 after a 61-59 victory over Little River Academy in the championship game.

Gunter Daniels led the Panthers with 17 points, while Cayden Branch added 15 and Anthony Sierras 12 in the victory.

The Panthers jumped out to a 21-13 lead after one quarter, but trailed at halftime, 29-28, before outscoring the Bumble-

bees by a 32-30 margin in the second half for the win.

Liberty Hill began the tournament with a decisive 104-42 win over Robinson, as Branch led with 23 points, including a trio of 3-pointers, to go with 20 points from Sierras and 19 by Daniels in a contest that saw them lead 36-7 after one quarter and 58-22 at halftime.

On Thursday evening, the Panthers faced old Class 4A rivals Burnet and came away

with a 69-41 win over the Bulldogs, as Daniels poured in 21 points to go with 15 and 10 from Branch and Sierras, respectively.

Liberty Hill faced Melissa on Saturday and downed the Cardinals by a 58-54 score, as Sierras had 22 points and Branch 14 in the victory.

Liberty Hill (8-1) will next play at the Canyon tournament in New Braunfels on Dec. 9-11.

can upset the rhythm of practice if you have to keep stopping drills to explain things – you lose a little energy that way – but, you just have to patient with these kids.”

Walker said many of the mistakes the young players make are from lack of experience and to be expected.

“Things like not taking care of the ball and turning it over,” she said. “When your team is young, sometimes you forget what to do.”

Movement without the ball is just as vital a skill to pick up as when it’s in a player’s hands, said Walker.

“The plays are more complex once you get to high school,” she said. “How to set proper screens and always knowing where to be – I’m glad I had people to teach me.”

According to Walker, the most difficult aspect for her upon moving up to varsity was simply the speed of the

branCh Continued from Page 5

about 100 threes per day in keeping his skills sharp and if he can hit about 40 percent, he feels good about himself – which is the most critical aspect of being an effective long-range shooter, he said.

“Confidence is the most important thing,” said Branch.

Crosby

“It takes confidence to shoot from three, but not really from two-point distance.” All of which begs a question. With Branch’s penchant for both of his chosen sports, if he had to choose, would he rather win a state cross country title or sink a game-winning

Continued from Page 5

carries for an impressive 8.8 yards per carry and 27 touchdowns on the season and had 80 yards in the win over the Mules, while fellow sophomore Joe Pitchford has also cracked the 1,000-yard barrier with 1,016 yards and 14 touchdowns.

In addition to his recent rushing heroics, Thomas leads the Panthers with 210 tackles on the season in averaging 15 stops per contest, followed by senior linebackers Reid Bynum (134 tackles) and Aaron

Brewer (102).

In particular, Brewer has come on strong in recent weeks in upping his game as the pressure has increased, including 10 tackles, a sack and three passes defended against Alamo Heights.

However, if the Panthers are to defeat the Cougars, it’s the offense that will need to take the burden off the defense by keeping Crosby’s weapons on the sidelines, said Walker.

“Our offense needs to stay on the field and establish the

game – things like not having as much time to react and make decisions and having defenders close down much quicker in taking away what would’ve been a wide-open shot at the junior varsity or freshman level.

“Just the pace was much faster,” she said. “It took me a long time to get used to it – probably the entire preseason.”

In addition, Walker had the disappointment of having to sit on the bench to overcome upon her arrival, as upperclassmen were ahead of her on the depth chart, she said.

“Mentally, I put a lot of pressure on myself back then,” said Walker. “I expected to go right in and play a lot of minutes and I’m really hard on myself. But, you still have to be confident in yourself and have discipline.”

three in a state championship basketball contest?

“I don’t know, that’s a tough one,” he said. “Both would be awesome, but when I see how fast the guys who win state run, it’s so impressive.”

running game,” he said.

Walker said he couldn’t be happier with how his team has been able to move on from the disappointment of how last season ended and return with a vengeance this year.

“As a coach, it means a lot,” he said. “More than anything else, it’s satisfying because all the hard work they’ve put in has paid off – they had a lot of work to do and they’ve done it.”

ALEX RUBIO FILE PHOTO

ALEX RUBIO PHOTO

(LEFT) Zane Lauper (#5) and the Panthers won the Lorena tournament with a 61-59 victory over Little River Academy in the championship game on Dec. 4.

Thomas Continued from Page 6

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MISSING PROPERTY

Throwback Thursday

Liberty Hill football had a few lean years before becoming a powerhouse

By JAMES WEAR Columnist

For the past 20 years, Liberty Hill has more often than not been in the winner’s circle when it comes to Friday night football…but that hasn’t always been the case, as many years passed before a Panther football team fought its way into the postseason playoffs. Along the way, the school endured 19 consecutive losing seasons.

According to information posted on a website devoted to the history of schoolboy football in Texas (www.texashighschoolfootballhistory.com), the first year Liberty Hill fielded a team was in 1913, when the Panthers won one of two games they played that year. No head coach was listed for the team; in fact, it’s not until the 1924 season that a head coach is identified, and the website lists a R.E.L. (Farmer) Jones as coach of a squad that was winless in seven outings.

The program enjoyed little success during the 1920s, with only two victories during the decade. Two seasons were canceled, although there is no information as to why.

The 1940s were also difficult years, with the 1943 season canceled outright due to the second World War. Norman Breed’s 1941 squad claimed three victories against five defeats, and tied two opponents. Liberty Hill was able to claim only one victory during a three-year span beginning in 1944, but Fred Looke coached the Panthers to three victories in the 1947 season.

the Panthers finished with a 6-3 mark…the most successful season any Panther team up to that point in school history. That, of course, was the last varsity team the school would field for several years as the high school lost its accreditation and it wasn’t until 1976 that varsity play resumed.

ful season coming in 1992 under Wade Johnston and 1997, when Mark Cox guided the Panthers to seven victories against three losses. Following the 1997 season Liberty Hill suffered through three consecutive losing seasons before Jerry Vance took over in 2001, leading the team to a 5-5 record.

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During the 1930s a number of men served as head football coach, including Leroy Barron, Francis Czarowitz, Gatewood Newberry, Lee Lemburg, Victor Foerster and Neal Randolph. Each only coached one season, with Newberry having the most successful season as his Panthers went 3-3-2.

The 1950s were also lean years, with Leslie Smith’s 1956 team winning four games ranking as the most successful season of the decade. Liberty Hill played six-man football beginning in 1957 and didn’t resume 11-man football until the 1960 season.

From 1960 through 1967, Liberty Hill posted only 10 victories. But then, in 1968,

Charlie Braun began his 12year stint as Liberty Hill’s head coach in 1978, and only three times under his leadership did the Panthers wind up below .500 as Braun turned the program around. In 1984, Braun’s Panthers qualified for the playoffs and the 1987 season yielded the first district championship ever for Liberty Hill gridders.

Liberty Hill was led by three different coaches during the 1990s, with the most success-

Vance, of course, built the Panthers into a powerhouse, winning consecutive state titles in 2006 and 2007. After Vance stepped down, Jeff Walker took over and Liberty Hill continued its dominance. Following Walker’s tragic death in 2020, his brother Kent Walker has taken the reins of the program that continues a winning tradition established more than 30 years ago.

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nonprofit organizations setting up gift wrapping stations, so you can drop off your gifts while you are there, get them wrapped, and then come pick them up,” Amsler said.

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The Kids Zone, which will be on the grassy field behind the old VFW building at 102 W. Myrtle Street, will include free activities for kids including a video game truck, bungee trampolines, bounce houses and pony rides.

At the Water Tower Parking Lot, attendees will find the Snow Zone, which will include a real snow field, an ice-skating rink and horsedrawn carriage rides. Behind the Visitors Center/Stubblefield building, Amsler said attendees will be able to find everything they need to strike

a pose for their social media and family photos.

“A balloon artist is coming in and doing all these cool installations, like a gingerbread house,” she said. “Also the characters from Frozen and the Grinch will be there taking pictures with people. Inside the building, from noon to 2 p.m., people can also visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and take pictures.”

Food will be served at downtown restaurants like Hell Or Highwater, Malted Grains and Parker’s grill. There will also be multiple food trucks, including the Food Dood, as well as trucks offering treats of all kinds, from hot cocoa to kettle corn.

Throughout the festival, live music can be found at Veterans

AlAmo Continued from Page 6

Minix, the Purple-and-Gold assumed a 7-6 lead with 4:58 remaining in the opening period, which was where the score remained as the opening 12 minutes came to a close.

But, just as Rouse had riddled the Liberty Hill defensive secondary the previous week, Alamo Heights’ duo of senior quarterback James Sobey and junior wide receiver Rett Andersen tormented them once again, as the pair combined for four touchdown passes on the evening, including the first score of the night and another from 18 yards out to give the Mules the lead back at 12-7 in the opening seconds of the second stanza.

Liberty Hill head coach Kent Walker acknowledged the issues the Panthers defense displayed.

“Tonight, we didn’t play very good defense,” he said. “Last week (against Rouse), we made some adjustments at halftime and played pretty well in the second half defensively, but tonight we didn’t play well and that’s on me.”

After back-to-back punts by the sides – including an Alamo Heights three-and-out forced by a third-down sack of Sobey by Panthers senior Reid Bynum – Liberty Hill junior fullback Logan Dyer went on a one-play, one-man scoring drive by taking a handoff from Vickers and breaking it for a 71-yard touchdown run and a 14-12 Panthers lead.

Following the third strike of the game from Sobey to

Andersen – this one from 28 yards out – though, the Mules proved stubborn in taking a 19-14 lead to the halftime locker room.

But, all that only set the stage for Thomas.

After Noah Long (21-yard run) and Sobey to Andersen for the fourth time (four-yard pass) traded touchdowns, the burly, West Point-bound Thomas powered in from a yard out to give Liberty Hill a 29-26 lead at the end of three quarters in completing an odd, four-play, 14 yard drive which began after Long had returned the kickoff 50 yards before a pair of personal-foul calls on Alamo Heights – both for facemask, with one while the ball was live and another after the whistle had blown – tacking on an additional 30 yards to the end of the play in creating the short field.

However, Thomas was just getting started.

The Panthers successfully executed an onside kick, which Thomas expertly recovered at the Mules’ 43-yard line, then went back to work in carrying his share of Liberty Hill’s load rushing the ball.

Walker said the play was always in the Panthers’ bag of tricks – it was simply a matter of waiting until the most advantageous time to unveil the chicanery.

“We thought about it periodically here and there,” he said. “We just found that was an opportune time and it worked –can’t say enough about No. 10

Memorial Park. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the music classes from each grade at Liberty Hill Elementary School will be performing holiday songs.

From 1 to 2 p.m., sibling duo Luke and Lauryn Rios will be performing. From 2 p.m. until the end of the festival, Minor Mishap Marching Band, a 25-piece brass band, will play music and march down Main Street, encouraging festivalgoers to march with them as they exit the event.

Parking for the festival will be at Fellowship Church, Cross Tracks Church and Liberty Hill Elementary School. Pedicabs will be on site to transport attendees from those lots.

The lighted Christmas parade begins at 6 p.m. This year’s

(Thomas).”

On the opening play of the fourth period, Thomas rumbled for 37 yards from the Mules’ 44-yard line all the way down to the 19, where three plays later on 1st-and-goal from the one, Vickers scored his second touchdown of the night to increase the Liberty Hill lead to 10 points at 36-26. But, with still plenty of time on the game clock left – 10:12, to be exact – Sobey drove his pack of Mules down the field for another score – a one-yard quarterback keeper in finishing off an 11-play, 79-yard venture, which was helped along the way by defensive holding and pass interference penalties on the Panthers in the red zone and just like that, the Liberty Hill advantage had been cut to three at 36-33.

On the ensuing Panthers possession, Long, Joe Pitchford and Vickers all carried the ball, but it was once again Thomas who stole the show.

After grinding out nine and four yards, respectively, on his first two attempts of the drive, Thomas burst through the line and sprinted 33 yards for the score that would ultimately decide the game.

Thomas said he wasn’t necessarily surprised by the running lane that was opened for him to fill.

“We saw that play had been open all night,” he said. “So, we knew we were going to get them on it.”

Despite a game, last-chancesaloon score with only 1:30

parade has about 55 floats. Beginning at 11 p.m. on Dec. 10, there will be no parking allowed on Main Street to provide space for the festival. Loop 332 and all its side streets, will be closed between RM 1869 and One Chapel from 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 11.

left on a one-yard run by senior running back George Flesher to pull the Mules within three at 43-40, all the Panthers had to do was kill the clock once they got the ball back one final time and victory was theirs.

In addition to Thomas’ 110 yards out of the backfield, Long ran for 80 yards on 13 carries, while Dyer added 79 yards on five carries, with Pitchford (11 carries, 67 yards), Vickers (8-58) and Grady Flinn (4-30) rounding out the rushing attack, as the Panthers rolled up 416 yards on the ground.

Defensively, Thomas led Liberty Hill with 13 tackles, while Aaron Brewer added 10 with a sack to go with three passes defended.

Liberty Hill (12-2) will next face Crosby (12-2) in a rematch of the teams’ epic overtime thriller last season in which the Cougars prevailed by a 62-61 score when the Panthers failed to convert a two-point conversion on the final play of the game.

Walker said the focus for him and his team at this point, though, isn’t simply to return to the state semifinals, but to improve on last year’s result.

“It’s huge for us,” he said. “These kids have worked their tails off for the past year to get back to this point, but this past week our thing was we didn’t work just to get back to this spot again this year – we’d like to take it a step further.”

Pictured are members of the 1928 Liberty Hill football team. According to William Seward, the top row, from left, includes Herbert Insall, Edmond Ferges, Dodson Conway, Edwin Gill, Elbert Insall, W.K. Seward and Coach Jack Ward. Bottom row, from left, Alvin Conway, Truett Chance, A.C. Burleson, Horace Landrum, Andrew Adams and Alden Wigzell. (Courtesy Photo)

VOLLEYBALL BRIEFS

A quartet of Lady Panthers senior volleyball players were named to the District 25 first team in middle blocker Ailie Hair, outside hitter Maddi Rowley, setter Emma Parsons and defensive specialist Haley Kuhlmann.

Rowley, who has signed to play at Division II Christian

Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, led Liberty Hill with 434 kills on the season, while Hair (Division I Lamar University) was the leader in blocks with 116 and aces (66).

Parsons will play next season at Division III University of Dallas and was the Lady Pan-

STAFF Continued from Page 1

resignation. As I do not wish to involve myself in a potentially confrontational work environment, this resignation is immediate.”

“I don’t know any details as to why she (Nancy) resigned, but it was abrupt,” Hale told The Independent. “Based on the documentation (from Ruiz), she just resigned. I don’t know if Nancy’s resignation was related to Terry’s.”

Filling several of these positions is high on the task list for the City Council. At their latest meeting Dec. 1, they approved a job description for the city secretary position. The job was posted Friday.

“I’m hoping to be fairly optimistic with this and get someone within the next 30 to 45 days,” Hale said. “My executive assistant and I have been tackling most of the job. We are also working with City Hall Essentials, which is a consulting firm for municipalities, that brings in contract employees that have useful backgrounds where they can come in and they’re up and running. Their city secretary consultant is working remotely to help us out until we fill the position.”

The City Council has also been trying to find a new finance director for the last several months. Currently, city staff is reviewing resumes.

“We received quite a few applicants,” Hale said. “The

candidate pool hasn’t really brought a representative [who] qualifies 100 percent. We just have a desire for stronger candidates. I’m not saying that there’s not anyone that can do the job, but we want to be effective and efficient, and that candidate just hasn’t come out with flying colors.”

After Wilkins’ termination, Council also directed staff to split the finance director and HR director positions into two separate, full-time positions. The City has never had a standalone HR director before, Hale said.

“We have an opportunity to build that department, and implement and execute policies that we’ve needed,” she added. “It’s also about that level of support for employees. If there’s more of a safety and security for our employees, so that if they have an issue, they can have a policy or procedure in place, and they will know what to do and we can also protect the City at the same time.”

Hale said the HR position has been offered to a qualified candidate, and if he accepts, he will start Jan. 3.

Also at the Dec. 1 meeting, the Council:

• Approved the execution of an agreement with Research Pest Control for rodent and animal control services at the Liberty Hill Police Department and

thers’ assists leader with 1,049 and Kuhlmann led with 573 digs on the season.

In addition to the first-team honorees, senior middle blocker Bailey Becker and sophomore outside hitters Kealy Dirner and Gigi Mason were named second-team, while junior middle blocker Morgan

the City Planning building. Hale said because the police department is an old building, the mice could have gotten in from anywhere, and likely migrated across the street to the planning building. Research Pest Control has remedied the situation.

• Unanimously approved the form and distribution of a memorandum for the City of Liberty Hill’s special assessment revenue bonds for the Butler Farms subdivision public improvement district.

The approval of this document allows the City’s underwriters to begin the marketing process, said Julie Houston, bond counsel for the City. Next, the financing agreement will need to be approved, followed by a special meeting where the bond financing will be approved, the bond purchase agreement will be signed, and the payments will be funded. That meeting is set for Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m.

• Heard a presentation from Dan Wegmiller, the City’s financial adviser, on the bond rating process and how it works, its impact on the City, and how bond ratings are set.

• Authorized Hale to enter into a pump and haul agreement with P&L Investor Group and Casey Pezold on 22 acres at 2801 RM 1869 for a proposed planned unit development and community center. Hale said

Poulain, sophomore defensive specialist Keegan Walton, sophomore setter Carson Glenn and freshman defensive specialist Brooklyn Escobar were all honorable mention.

All the members of Liberty Hill’s team – including managers – were named academic all-district.

this agreement most likely won’t ever come into play, but it was approved as a safeguard in case the City’s future lift stations are not constructed in a timely manner. A pump and haul agreement is an alternative way to manage waste.

• Directed staff to build a sixfoot-tall fence between the homes and the parking lot on Van Alley. This fence will particularly affect Liberty Hill resident Will Williams, who lives directly behind the parking lot, in giving him more privacy. In addition, Pezold suggested giving Williams his own parking spot on Van Alley, which would be reserved for him through a sign highlighting his extensive military service. Hale said city staff is currently getting quotes on the cost of building the fence.

• Authorized Branigan to execute an agreement between Williamson County and the City for the use of $435,990 in Community Development Block Grant funds. These funds will be used to construct sidewalks starting in front of Liberty Hill Elementary School and going across the street through the adjacent subdivision ending at Hillcrest. Hale said the goal is to have the project completed before school starts in August 2022.

several options to remedy these types of situations when they occur. According to a notice published in The Independent last month, the City remedied this specific concern by relocating the piping from the entry point of the contaminated well to an alternate facility within the distribution system, so the water could be blended with an alternate source of water.

The City’s water system serves about 2,040 people and has 680 connections, said Tiffany Young, media relations specialist with TCEQ.

“Because of the natural variation in levels of contaminants, a single quarterly reading that exceeds the [maximum contaminant level] might not be a concern if levels are usually below the established [level].

[However,] the EPA has determined that individuals who drink two liters of water every day for 70 years contain-

ing radiochemicals above the established [level] may lead to an increased risk of cancer and kidney disease,” Young said.

These two violations are not the only ones the City has received this year, Young added. In September, the TCEQ Austin Region issued the City a notice of violation for failure to maintain a minimum pressure of 35 pounds per square inch within their distribution system.

“The Austin Region approved an extension request from the City of Liberty Hill until Jan. 3, 2022, to allow additional time for the City of Liberty Hill and City of Leander to complete construction of a new waterline and pump station,” Young said. “This project is designed to improve pressure in the affected area in the northwest portion of Leander and portions of Liberty Hill.”

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