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BASTROP — Bastrop’s bid to repeat as district champions ended Friday night with their first loss of the season, falling 48-14 to the Liberty Hill Panthers.
The Panthers (8-2, 7-0 district) clinched the outright district title behind a powerful rushing attack and suffocating defensive front. The Bears (9-1, 6-1) finished as runner-up and secured a home playoff game to open the postseason.
Liberty Hill struck first midway through the opening quarter on a 6-yard touchdown run by Richard Downing. Bastrop answered with a steady drive capped by a 3-yard rushing score from senior utility player Gary Jefferson, tying the game at 7 after one quarter.
The Panthers regained control late in the second quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run from Pierre Dylan Belinga. The Bears threatened to tie the game before halftime, driving deep into Liberty Hill territory, but a bobbled snap by junior quarterback Weston Nielsen led to a costly fumble recovered by the Panthers.
Liberty Hill capitalized on the turnover, extending its lead to 22-7 just before halftime — a momentum-swinging sequence that Bastrop did not recover from.
The Panthers came out of the locker room firing, breaking off a 90-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the second half to take a commanding lead. Bastrop’s offense struggled to find a rhythm against Liberty Hill’s aggressive front seven, giving up three sacks and nine tackles for loss as Nielsen was frequently pressured and forced to throw on the run.
Nielsen managed to punch in a two-yard rushing touchdown late in the game, marking the Bears’ final score of the night.
Despite the loss, Bastrop still has plenty to play for.
The Bears will host Burbank in the opening round of the playoffs Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
