OldTimer

First - I do not have a dog in this fight. But - Here goes my Karma. To the poster that stated that 4 teams from 21-3a would make the playoffs if they were in the 22-3A district must just ignore the scores. I will say that through the years 21-3A has had a head and fist advantage over the teams from 22-3A - but this year that is not the case. Cleveland beat the probable 21-3A winner by 11 Coldsprings beat OF in a close game - is not OF predicted to be the 2rd team in 21-3A To make the statement - after reviewing these facts - that the top 4 teams in 21-3A are better than any of the teams in 22-3A after losing to them is kind of hard to believe. Ohhhhh- that's right - the best teams in 21-3A never really lose they just either didn't show up that night or the refs stole the game or in this case "it was the hometeam advantage". Just admit that finally the teams from 22-3A have at least 2 teams that can compete and beat the better teams from 21-3A and then move on.

Normally these games are when one team decides to hold the ball and not even try a basket. When I was in High School – a long long time ago – we played Huntsville who was considered the best team in the State at the time and the final score was 10 – 6. We lost – but the reason that we stalled the entire game was they had a 6’10†center who was really good and our tallest player as 6’1â€. Had we played a normal game we would have lost by 30. And yes it was a very boring game.

Hey UKCAts and Go-Rilla, Liberty wins: Tarkington - 7 Liberty - 36

I have seen both teams play and have to give a slight advantage to the Cleveland Indians - but very slight. The good news I think is that this year 22-3A is going to send to 2 teams with a decent chance of knocking off a few of the 21-3A opposition in the first round of the playoffs. As far as who has the best defense - hands down Cleveland - but Coldsprings will be able to score on them. Prediction: Cleveland - 27 Coldsprings - 25

Anyone that guarantees Tarkington will beat Liberty has not been a Tarkington fan very long regardless of the problems that Liberty has had this year. Yes Liberty has struggled in almost every game but in spurts has shown signs of being a better team than the scores represent. I think that Liberty is a better team than they have shown and hopefully they will prove me right Friday night. I actually like Tarkington and know several people from there and hope that they do well – against anyone but Liberty. And I heard that in a game earlier this year the Tarkington field goal kicker made like a 50+ year field goal 8) – would like to have seen that for the player. Tarkington got their 1st district win in several years a few weeks with the win over Shephard. Liberty’s only win this year has come over that same Shephard team. I think this will be a close game as BOTH teams really need this win to hopefully get them going into the off season in a semi-positive mode (a win here and there always helps). Prediction: Tarkington – 16 Liberty – 22 Go Panthers

Liberty vs. Kirbyville – 2004 (I think) More rain than I can remember during a football game. It was the worst field conditions that I can recall as after the start of the 3rd quarter you could not see most of the field due to the standing water. At several points in the game the officials had to hold the ball in place to make sure it did not float away. Game was halted 2 – 3 times due to lighting – but restarted over the official’s hesitation. During the game the Panthers fumbled the ball 6 times and Kirbyville added 5 of their own. Kirbyville won the game 22 – 12.

Got to admit I thought Liberty would give Huffman a game. Gongrats Huffman for breaking the Liberty Curse. Hope Liberty is in a re-building year.

Sorry forgot something. TLU_Dawg – In the game against Cleveland Liberty found out THE DAY BEFORE THE GAME that they had lost their staring QB and had 1 day to get the back-up up to speed. That is not an excuse just a fact. The back-up QB has been a starting DB since he was a Soph. And did the best job he could under limited preparation time. Take the Cleveland game out of the equation and Liberty has averaged more yards per game than Huffman and has a better avg. score per game (Liberty 24 PPG and Huffman 20 PPG). Fact of the matter is that Huffman had a whopping 140 yards against Cleveland – so do not act like ya’ll ran the ball up and down the field. This will be a good game and both teams deserve the support of all their fans – just do not make the mistake of taking for granted the Panthers – you might just get bit.

First – Doubles_gun – Liberty does not need your help in defending its football team or downgrading their opposition. It appears that you have some anti-Huffman issues that you need to work out. This is about Liberty vs. Huffman – always a good game and will not be any different this year. Huffman is definitely doing better this year than they have over the past few years – but have not been overly impressive even in their some of their 3 wins (1 I was at and 2 other a good friend and I discussed). They do also appear to be a fairly young team and can be prone to mistakes. Liberty could easily be 3 – 2 if not for their fumbling ways that basically gave 2 of their games away. If they continue to fumble they will lose this game – However, if they can hold onto the ball they will give Huffman everything and more than Huffman wants. My prediction stands – Liberty by 6. 8) Good Luck to both teams.

This as always should be a close tough fought game for all 4 quarters. Some of Huffman’s fans seem to give them a little more credit than they deserve after losing to Cleveland. If Liberty can hold onto the Ball they have proven against some decent teams that they can move the ball and score touchdowns as apparent by 3 TD’s in the first 5 plays against Splendora. If the Liberty defense can show up and slow down Huffman – Huffman will have a hard time winning this game. Huffman had better come out ready to play for I am sure that Liberty will be wanting their 1st win. It appears that the teams to beat in this district are (1) Cleveland and (2) Coldsprings – the rest are fighting for the 3rd playoff spot and this game will go a long way for the winner. Hope for a good clean game with limited injuries and may the best team win. Prediction: Liberty keeps the streak alive ;D Liberty – 26 Huffman – 20 Go Panthers

Liberty is 0 – 2 but that may well be a deceiving win loss ratio. I was at the Liberty and Hamshire game and Liberty’s offense was hard for HF to stop – they stopped themselves with 4 or 5 turnovers. In the game against Bridge City the offense also had about 6 turnovers. Turnovers are a part of the game – but can be and are drive and momentum killer. But, their defense appeared to have a hard time stopping HF when it was needed. The RB – Jamarques James (I Believe) has had 2 really good games and appears to be a very good RB. OF better come prepared. If the defense can tighten up and the offense holds onto the ball – who knows! Prediction: Liberty - 26 Orangefield – 19 Go Panthers

Yeah all the Houston news media should skip this game and come to the real game in Liberty - Liberty vs. Hamshire Fannett Really just kidding. Good luck Broncos from a supporter from accross the river. And FYI Green is the real deal and will play QB on Saturdays in 2 years. 8)

Liberty has no more or less disgruntlement in its athletic program than any other program in the State – just more people (in this case 1) that are posting on this site. Bushpilot, I know that your will assume me to be one of the “Suck up Parents†– but truly do not care. But I have been a part of the Liberty athletic program for over 10 years and yes I do have several different opinions on players and what positions that the coaches were playing them in – but never did I see a quality player left on the sidelines that could have helped the team. I did see several players that thought too much of themselves to play a position that the coaches asked because they (or more likely their parents) thought they were the best QB in the state. I saw several High School players that were “Friday Night Heroes†but did not show up for practice and did not put forth effort while they were are these practices to benefit the team. If I were the coach I would always play the young man with less talent that puts more effort into what the coaches expected of them. In my opinion you kind of show some of your lack of knowledge by stating that a 7th grade player will be a “Star†in High School. The development of any young man or woman from the ages of 13 – 18 are simply amazing and you do not yet know how this young man will develop – I truly hope that he does become a Star but to make that comment now is a bit premature – and is premature for any athlete at that age. I have seen several very good young athletes who are hands and fists over their counterparts at 11 – 13 never develop and in many cases are passed in ability by less talented younger players by the time they turn 17 – 18. All that being said Liberty will bounce back from last weeks loss and win in a close game 26 to 19. Go Panthers

7mary3, Last I heard it was the Dayton's team that had to kick 5 players off the team due to felony act - not Liberty's. No doubt that Dayton is a quality program and Liberty is in rebuilding mode - but don't ever say never - you might just have to eat those word sometime. And I have been a close follower of Liberty's program for years and do not recall Liberty ever taking a Dayton reject - espically a problem child. As far as going to the "pen" I personally do not know of any from Liberty but do know of 1 from Dayton

If I remember the players right - and I may well not - the Panthers will be better off with Riddick than Cummings. Was not the Cummings boy kind of a discipline problem. Last I remember Riddick was a strong player and good teammate.

Good Job Wes57 - I know you still have a boy playing and I wish your son and Coach Deel good luck this season. Win'em All.

OK then - there is competition between Dayton and Liberty. Dayton - 1 Liberty - 0 No doubt that Dayton scored a one sided victory in the Coach Stewart game.

I have wondered this myself and in talking to a lot of players, coaches and fans this is my thinking on the matter: No Doubt recently - last 2 - 3 years Dayton has a distinct advantage over Liberty and the games would likely have been very lopsided. However, before that time both Liberty and Dayton had good teams and would have been a good game to go watch - and I think very competitive. The year Liberty was 10 - 0 I really would have liked to have seen this game - I think would have been a great game (2003). Liberty at this time does not want to play Dayton due to the difference in talent level - But do not think that Dayton really wants to play Liberty either - right now they would win fairly easily - but when (and it will happen) that the teams become closer in talent then IF Liberty were to play Dayton then Dayton is the only team with any risk - and what I mean is this: If Liberty loses then "well they were supposed to lose so really so what" but, if Liberty where to pull the upset Dayton then everyone will start saying "well whats wrong with Dayton if they cannot beat Liberty - a Smaller school". Personally I would like to see these two teams play - but would really like to see Liberty be able to step on the field with Dayton with either team having a chance to win. Go Panthers ;D

etbu, Good Try - No I do not think that Huffman will win the district - but I also have no doubt that Huffman will be a team that will play every down and any team playing them had better have their chin straps tightened and ready to play. Hope to score a touchdown or two - lol :

Pantherplaya, Yes the pressure is on this years team to keep the Huffman domination ongoing - Think Huffman is gonna make a game of it but, my prediction: Liberty wins and keeps the Huffman streak alive - sorry etbu Go Panthers 8)

A true fan is a person that supports any team regardless of the outcome of the games. It is always nice to be able to support a winning team but as this is normally a High School posting area not all teams have the personnel either coaching or playing to always have a successful record. I always see players on the team that loses (not losers) and they normally are still trying to do everything that they can do to win the game. As long as the young men and women that play the game care - and those that play do care - I will support my team no matter how many wins they post.

Sorry Tuff, Love my Panthers - but Cleveland will be a force to be dealt with and Coldsprings has the athletes and has had Liberty's number the last few years. But, Liberty could upset one or both of these teams if things go right. Go Panthers 8)

26-5A Sorry man as I have stated I like Huffman and think they will be competitive but will be out of the top 3 this year. Final Standing will be: Cleveland Coldsprings Liberty Splendora / Huffman Shepherd Tarkington Only sad fact is - and I trully hate to say this - whoever represents this district will have a very tough time getting out of the first round facing the top 3 from 21-3A. Go Panthers 8)

Blade I guess we will have to see how the season goes - but 0-2 versus HD and Hardin - I really don't think so : I always muse at how in a non-equal world (1A - 2A - 3A) that people equate the quality of teams and their records. Hardin I think would have the best chance of beating Liberty but I would not give them the game and am not 100% sure that they would win. HD on the other hand - sorry - good quality team for their district in the 1A ranks but not enough depth to play with Liberty. Dayton - I agree it might be awhile before Liberty can hope to play with the Broncos. And who are these Coaches that are saying the talent level is so low? Of the coaches that I know that have left - and I know most of them - the Liberty players have told me that the offensive and defensive lines will be solid - the only really unknown is that Liberty will have to develop a RB - but they have 2-3 good possibilities. As far as fighting to get out of the basement no that position is owned by Tarkington and Shephard and I do not see that changing anytime soon. ;D Go Panthers

Liberty 2-8 or 3-7 Hell - I'll take that bet. Liberty will contend for a District Playoff spot and has an outside chance to will that district. My prediction is Liberty will be 6-4 and will be 4-2 in district play. It seems that even when Liberty has strong teams they never get respect. Liberty last year had a tough year no doubt by they played with every team they lined up agianst. The year before - take out the blowout by WOS in the playoffs and every other game could have gone either way. Liberty will not be a world beater but the teams they play better be ready. Go Panthers! 8)