Liberty holds on to win 28-27 in first varsity game

Liberty High's Eddie Smith races up the field while fighting off a defender during Thursday's game. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Liberty High School football team played its first ever varsity game at Valley View Thursday night and won, 28-27.

The visiting Bison had a 28-13 lead late in the third quarter, but it took a strong effort to survive a wild fourth quarter, including a defensive stand after turning the ball over to the Eagles in the final two minutes.

Valley View was the first on the board early in the second quarter after a scoreless first period. However, Liberty answered within the next five minutes with a touchdown of their own.

On the next Eagles possession, Liberty junior Eddie Smith intercepted a third-down pass and ran it back for a touchdown. That run brought the Bison up 14-7 with just under seven minutes to go in the half.

Another Liberty interception set up a touchdown that put the Bison up 21-7 at halftime.

Valley View came out of the locker room with quick feet and got the first points of the second half, but failed on the extra point on a blocked kick. Liberty’s Smith answered again with a touchdown from about 40 yards out, taking the score to 28-13.

“It was a great run,” said Smith. “I just look for people that are reaching because I know arm tacklers aren’t going to take me down.”

Valley View had a quick answer, shortening the deficit to 28-19, but another missed extra point kept them just out of reach. The Eagles put up a fight and were the only team to score in the fourth quarter, making it 28-27. But despite a turnover on downs with 1:40 left on the game clock, Liberty was able to hold on to the lead.

Coach Kraig Broach said this win was something special for him.

“It took the whole team tonight and they came through when it counted,” said Broach (at left, talking with quarterback Troy Dulyn). “The players on the field are the ones who make it happen and they made enough plays to win tonight. That was pretty awesome.”

Speaking of the complications that come with a young team and multiple injuries that happened in the game, Broach said his team showed the heart he has been hoping to see in stepping up when they were needed.

A few of those notable players stepping up include Caiden Vercruysse, Dominic Crossman, Brian Woisin and Anthony Ruelas.

The team has no seniors on the roster as the school is only in its second year, so juniors like Smith are the ones Broach counts on to put in the work to compete with older teams. Smith said it’s an honor to do so.

“It feels great; we always come in as the underdogs,” said Smith. “When we come in and win like this, it puts us on the map and gets our name out there.”

With a full season ahead of the team, Broach said the team has made mistakes he’d like to avoid repeating, but that in the end it’s just finding a way to win that really matters.

“There are some kids that weren’t expecting to play tonight and as coaches you have to have backup plan after backup plan,” Broach said. “We were on plan ‘F’ tonight and it paid off.”

Liberty will continue next week at home against Miller High.

Eddie Smith high fives teammate Brett Burroughs (5) as he scores on an interception return. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

Two Liberty defenders team up to take down a Valley View ballcarrier on Thursday. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 

Bison defensive back Zach Velasco leaps to make Liberty's second interception of the night. (Photo by Rick Rowell)