Texas high school football is more than just a game — it’s a way of life. Dave Campbell's Texas Football is spotlighting a different program from across the Lone Star State, diving into their history, traditions, and legends. From powerhouse programs to hidden gems, Texas High School Football Spotlight is your deep dive into what makes each team unique. Whether it’s unforgettable seasons, iconic players, or fierce rivalries, this series celebrates the schools, communities, and stories that define Texas high school football.

Today’s Spotlight: Liberty Hill Panthers

The Rundown

Use whatever cliche you want about Liberty Hill: sneaky fast players or first-guy-in last-guy-out mentality. Just make sure you punctuate the sentence with ‘Winners.’ 

When HC Jerry Vance took the job at this rural, central Texas town in 2001 and implemented the Slot-T offense, he created a monster that’s come to be one of the defining trends of TXHSFB in the 21st century. The Panthers have won 13 district championships and made four state championship games since 2001.

As Liberty Hill booms and a new school opens due to Austin’s rapid population growth, Panther football has only added more people into its orbit - and keeps the small-town past at the heart of its suburban future. 

By The Numbers

Class – 5A DII
Enrollment – 2,213 (Liberty Hill Legacy Ranch opening for relief in summer 2026)
Location – Williamson County, 36.2 miles north of Austin

Trophy Case

State Championships – 2 (2006, 2007)
State Championship Appearances – 4 (2006, 2007, 2018, 2021)
District Championships – 15 (most recent: 2025)
Playoff Appearances – 26 (most recent: 2025)

Glory Days

Liberty Hill won 38 consecutive games from 2006 to 2008, including back-to-back state championships in ‘06 and ‘07. We’re picking the 2007 Liberty Hill Panthers as the best team because it remains the only undefeated squad in program history - and this program began in 1913! In the Class 3A DI State Championship, Liberty Hill’s defense held a Gilmer offense averaging 49.2 points per game to 135 total yards in a 38-13 blowout victory. 

While the 2006 and 2007 teams were the only squads to win it all, there is a popular belief that the 2018 and 2021 teams that lost in the state championship were actually the best in program history. With RB Kyle Harrison (two-time all-state selection) as the tip of the spear in Liberty Hill’s 2018 Slot-T offense, the Panthers averaged 52.67 points per game. In 2021, Liberty Hill collided with a team of destiny in South Oak Cliff, which won the first Dallas ISD State Championship since 1958 and has appeared in five consecutive title games.

The GOAT

Over three seasons as a varsity linebacker in the purple and gold, LB Andon Thomas became the most feared name in Central Texas. He burst onto the scene as a sophomore by winning the Austin American-Statesman’s Central Texas Newcomer of the Year, then earned back-to-back District MVP honors. On the state finalist team in 2021, Thomas averaged 15.3 tackles per game and had 28 tackles for loss. 

Thomas’s decision to play college football at Army West Point just made too much sense. His father, Casey, is a retired lieutenant colonel. And Liberty Hill’s Slot-T offense has a close resemblance to Army’s option attack.  Thomas became a team captain by the 2025 season and earned Second Team American All-Conference accolades.

RB Noah Long (graduated in 2024) is our honorable mention selection for being twice named as Padilla Poll’s Offensive Player of the Year and winning the 2022 5A Built Ford Tough Player of the Year.

The Architect

Jerry Vance may have retired at the end of the 2016 football season, but this program still operates in his image. From the program’s inception in 1913 to the year Vance arrived in 2001, Liberty Hill had one double-digit win season. In fact, the Panthers didn’t even have a winning season in 11-man football until 1967. 

But Vance implemented the famous – or, infamous, depending on if you’re asking a Liberty Hill opponent – Slot-T offense, which prides itself on a hard-nosed inside run game. His program rattled off 10 double-digit win seasons in 16 years, including the school’s only two state championships in 2006 and 2007.

Battle Lines

Burnet High School, located 20 miles west of Liberty Hill, is the Panthers’ historic rival. The longtime foes often played for a district championship, like when Burnet smoked Liberty Hill 45-21 in 2003, or Liberty Hill exacted revenge with a 17-13 gut punch in 2010. In 2014, the arch nemesis met in the state quarterfinals, where Liberty Hill prevailed 23-15. 

But as Liberty Hill’s population has exploded, turning it from a rural town into an Austin suburb, the rivalry has faded slightly due to district realignment. Presently, Leander Rouse is considered Liberty Hill’s biggest rival. The two schools have faced off in non-district play every year since 2022, and they are knotted at 2-2.

Home Turf

Liberty Hill ISD opened Jerry Vance Field in 2013, moving on from historic Panther Stadium after 33 years. The school had simply outgrown the field as Austin’s urban sprawl enveloped the once tiny town. The 9,000-seat stadium was enough to house the growing pride in Panther football. 

While the stadium was opened in 2013, it was not renamed for its famous head coach until 2022. Vance was still coaching at the time and led the team for four seasons in the new stadium.

The Year That Was

HC David Seaborn earned District 11-5A DII Coach of the Year after taking over for previous head coach Kent Walker in late May and overcoming a 0-2 start to win the district championship.

Do-it-all athlete and four-year varsity starter Jack Pitchford capped a historic Liberty Hill career by winning District MVP, making highlight play after highlight play behind District Offensive Line MVP Jett Harrison. Michigan signee Allister Vallejo led Liberty Hill’s defense with 71 tackles and 18 tackles for loss from his interior defensive line spot.

Looking Ahead

Senior RB Dylan Belinga figures to be the focal point of Liberty Hill’s Slot-T attack after earning District Offensive MVP honors with 1,443 yards and 21 touchdowns on 11 yards per carry. Isaiah Cravens (6’2, 290) may be listed as a tight end, but he’ll play almost exclusively in a three-point stance and is considered the headliner returnee on the offensive line. 

LB Spencer Ballew leads a Liberty Hill defense that returns only three starters. 

Xs and Os

Offense – Slot-T
Defense – Multiple

On the Rise

Rising junior Bryce Byrn’s breakout sophomore year, in which he rushed for 433 yards in seven games, was cut short due to injury. Look for him to make up for lost time in 2026.

In Their Own Words

“What makes Liberty Hill Football special is our brotherhood, our work ethic, and our commitment to accountability. 

First, it’s the brotherhood. Our players don’t just share a locker room – they share a bond. From freshmen to seniors, everybody understands that they are part of something bigger than themselves. We push each other, support each other, and stand together through adversity. That connection shows up on Friday nights.

Second, it’s our hard work. Nothing is given in our program – everything is earned. We pride ourselves on being physical, disciplined, and relentless. The standard is high, and our players embrace it. The work we put in during the offseason, in the weight room, and on the practice field defines who we are.

Finally, it’s accountability. We hold ourselves and each other to the standard every single day. That means doing the right thing when no one is watching, being coachable, and responding hte right way when things don’t go as planned. Accountability builds trust, and trust builds winning teams. At Liberty Hill, it’s not just about football. It’s about building tough, disciplined, selfless young men who are prepared for life long after the final whistle. That’s what makes our program special.” - HC David Seaborn