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BASTROP — Sophomore quarterback Weston Neilsen connected with senior tight end Brent Carter for the game-winning touchdown Nov. 8, securing a 35-31 victory over the Liberty Hill Panthers and clinching the Bastrop Bears' first district championship in 15 years.
Looking to bounce back from an 81-31 loss to Liberty Hill last season, Bastrop faced a strong Panthers offense early, as Liberty Hill scored on its first drive, exploiting the Bears' defense.
Bastrop responded with a 31-yard rushing touchdown from senior running back Ladianian Merino, tying the game at 7-7. Neilsen then gave the Bears a 14-7 lead with a 17-yard touchdown pass to senior Ramonz Adams.
Adams emerged as Neilsen's top target, racking up 131 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Merino led the ground game with 141 rushing yards and two scores.
In a pivotal moment, sophomore Isaiah Arnold forced a fumble deep in the Panthers' red zone, but Liberty Hill countered with 10 unanswered points, taking a 17-14 lead. The Bears quickly regained the lead at 21-17 after Adams turned a screen pass into a 68-yard touchdown.
The back-and-forth continued, with Merino adding a second rushing touchdown to make it 2824. Liberty Hill briefly reclaimed the lead at 31-28 before Bastrop orchestrated the game-winning drive, capped off by Neilsen’s touchdown pass to Carter.
Neilsen finished the game with 197 passing yards and three touchdowns.
On defense, senior linebacker Conrad Shultz had 2.5 tackles for loss, and senior defensive back Bryan Paulsey led with 10 tackles.
With the district title secured, Bastrop now turns its attention to the playoffs.
The Bears will host the Lanier Voks in the first round on Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. The Voks finished the season with a 5-5 overall record, 3-3 in district play.
