Crosby’s ride continues vs. Aledo
Cougars reach first title game in 60 seasons
Seventeen total touchdowns, dramatic swings in a matter of seconds, a heart-stopping ending and more, Crosby and Liberty Hill’s Class 5A Division II semifinal didn’t lack anything it needed for a Texas high school football classic.
The abrupt end of a longtime drought without a berth in the state championship game even is included. Crosby outlasted Liberty Hill 62-61 in overtime last Friday and will play in a state title game for the first time since 1960.
Crosby coach Jerry Prieto had the busiest cell phone in Houston in the last 24 hours.
“I think everybody that watched the game or was a part of it saw all the ups and downs for us and Liberty Hill,” Prieto said. “There were multiple times where both teams could’ve kind of hung it up and let the other teams take over. At the end of the day, we were able to just make one more play than they did.”
That one more play was the game’s penultimate moment.
Senior running back Reggie Branch rushed for a 13-yard touchdown on Crosby’s overtime possession to give the Cougars a 62-55 lead. Liberty Hill senior Blake Simpson rumbled for a 25-yard touchdown on the next play, but he fumbled the ball on the two-point conversion, giving the Cougars a berth in the state title game.
The final play caused confusion throughout the stadium as Crosby’s sideline erupted in the aftermath of the play, only for the Liberty Hill side to return in kind when it appeared a Liberty Hill player had the ball over the goal line.
Prieto told the Chronicle on Friday hewent up to the line judge to ensure the attempt was short. Once he had confirmation, the celebrating started.
Otherwise, it was pandemonium. Crosby and Liberty Hill combined for 1,113 yards of offense. The number is especially incredible considering the contrast in offenses. Liberty Hill runs a slot-T. The Panthers attempted six passes Friday night, two of which were for touchdowns. In its regional final win, Liberty Hill did not attempt a pass.
Prieto is only in his second year at Crosby, which sits 22 miles east of downtown Houston. He took over after Jeff Riordan led the program from 2012-18, which includes 2014’s state semifinal berth.
Prieto still has never had a full offseason with his program. He was hired in May two years ago, meaning he didn’t get spring practice to get acquainted with players. COVID-19 marred much of last year’s offseason, too.
A state title run coming this quickly in his tenure even surprises Prieto some, but he was always confident Crosby was capable of being on this stage.
Now comes Aledo at 1 p.m. Friday at AT&T Stadium. Aledo is going for a third straight state championship and 10th all time. If Aledo gets No. 10, it’d be most all-time in UIL history.
Crosby knows what it’s up against. Prieto calls Aledo slot receiver JoJo Earle the best in the country. Recruiting rankings agree he is among the best.
But who’s had a more challenging path to state than Crosby? The Cougars now have four consecutive playoff victories over undefeated state-ranked teams — Texas High, Huntsville, Fort Bend Marshall and Liberty Hill.
There was a much bigger picture in Friday’s game, too.
Liberty Hill coach Jeff Walker, 52, passed away on Dec. 1 after an eight-year battle with cancer. His brother, Kent Walker, previously the team’s defensive coordinator, is serving as interim coach in his place.
The Crosby Education Foundation raised $4,100 to donate to Liberty Hill.
“One thing sports helps us do is remind us of the goodness that there still is out there,” Prieto said. “It was a hard-fought game, and at the end, we had multiple kids going over congratulating and consoling their kids. Just gives you some hope for the future. That kind of goodness is still out there with everything going on in our country right now.”