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Liberty Hill 42 – Crosby 14

By Allan Jamail

Bryan, TX — On Friday, December 10, 2021, the Crosby Cougars lost to Liberty Hill 42-14 in a Class 5A Division II semi-final rematch at the Merrill Green Stadium, snapping their 12-game winning streak and ending with a 12-3 record.

The game’s Team Captains were Braden Womack, Cyrin Myles, Kameren Kirkwood, and McCoy Casey.

Last season it was the Cougars who won against the Panthers. In the semifinals last year, Crosby won with a 62-61 overtime victory after the Panthers fumbled the ball inside the 1-yard-line on the 2-point conversation to try to win it. Crosby lost the state title game to Aledo the following week in Arlington.

Crosby won the coin flip and deferred, wanting to kickoff to the Panthers so they could open the second half receiving the kickoff. Crosby’s defense held the Panthers, forcing them to punt. Things looked good for the Cougars as they marched down the field near the goal, when quarterback (QB) Cyrin Myles run came up inches short of the goal (see photo in print edition). On the next play when the ball was centered, Myles couldn’t control it and a Panther pounced on it, stopping what would have put the Cougars ahead for the game’s first score.

By Gilbert Hoffman

CROSBY – The community was thrilled with the Cougar victory over the A&M Consolidated team from College Station, played last Friday night at the Cy Fair ISD stadium in Houston. Crosby won by a score of 53-50, holding on to a lead that was challenged by the Tigers in the last few minutes of the game.

The Cougars, with a record now of 11-2 overall, and 7-0 in District play, will move on to the Quarterfinals this Friday, and play Texarkana’s Texas Tigers at 7:30pm at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin. The Texas record is 12-0 overall, and 7-0 in District play.

Crosby had to stop a late drive by A&MC in the fourth quarter, to hold the lead and win the game. Senior Kameren Kirkwood intercepted two passes, and scored a touchdown in the last quarter to help bring victory to the Cougars. Crosby played a strong offensive game, with a total of 500 yards gained, 316 passing and 184 rushing.

Four players were named for their outstanding play: Players of the Game were Special Teams, Trevor Helburg; Overall performance, Kameren Kirkwood; Defensive Player, McCoy Casey; and Offensive Player, Cyrin Miles. QB Cyrin Miles had a total of 351 yards advanced. He was 13 for 21 passing with 239 yards, and also rushed 24 times for 112 yards.

Also notable was a halfback pass by Luke Smith for a gain of 69 yards.

Coach Jerry Prieto said, “I am proud of our guys for staying in the fight,” when A&MC challenged late in the game, but the Cougars held them off.

In the first half, the Cougar offense performed well, with a number of runs along the perimeter. Kicker Trevor Helburg completed a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter. At halftime Crosby led by 39-29.

But in the second half the Tiger defense stiffened against these plays.

Although penalties hurt the Cougars in the second half, they managed two interceptions to slow the Tigers and maintain the lead.

Another outstanding play was a fumble recovery by #40 McCoy Casey, with an 80 yard return.

In the 4th quarter, Crosby scored on an 11-yard pass from Miles, and then he followed up later with a 5-yard run after Camari Parker intercepted a Tiger pass.

In the next playoff game Friday night, the Cougs will face a team that they beat last year in the Region III area round playoffs. The Crosby community looks forward to a repeat of that victory and advancing to the Semifinals.