Everything goes right for undefeated Bison, 35-0

Liberty quarterback Troy Dulyn runs past a fallen Rubidoux defender Friday night. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Liberty High football team improved its perfect record to 4-0 Friday night with a 35-0 win over Rubidoux High at home.

With all their scoring taking place in the first half, the Bison out-ran the Falcons big time, with their two leading rushers both tallying over 100 yards on the night, while the opponent had 68 yards total offense.

As a team competing without any seniors, the Liberty squad continues to provide dominating varsity-level football week in and week out. As one of the leading scorers, Andre Skelton, said, that is all he and his teammates are looking to do.

“We just want to put Liberty on the map,” Skelton said. “We want people to know this is regular varsity football. We want them to put some respect on Liberty.”

Boasting an undefeated record with just one non-league game left, Liberty has outscored half of its opponents by 35 points or more— a feat that head coach Kraig Broach said is a testament to the linemen just as much, or even more, than to the players running the ball.

“The talk of the day should be the defense,” said Broach. “Bryan Woisin (linebacker) was given a little different assignment this week particularly; he didn’t back down from it and he’s been challenged. I am very proud of how he stepped up.”

Woisin and the Liberty defense forced four fumbles and three turnovers on downs, allowing just two third-down conversions. With those numbers, it was up to offensive weapons like Skelton to capitalize on the possessions brought by the defense.

And capitalize they did. Skelton and three others accounted for the five first-half touchdowns. Brent Burroughs had a 58-yard touchdown run and Eddie Smith put up a 33-yard TD, while Anthony Ruelas accounted for two TD runs, 13 yards and 22 yards, respectively.

Skelton, who posted a 47-yard touchdown for the Bison and 100-plus yards in just the first half, said it wasn’t his touchdown or any of his three teammates’ other runs to the end zone that highlighted his night, but a touchdown in the fourth quarter that actually was nullified but celebrated wildly by the Bison anyway.

In the first minute of the fourth quarter, Ryder Dufour, a teammate with autism who usually stands on the sideline cheering on his team and making sure they keep their spirits high, went into the game for the first time and scored a touchdown.

There was still more than nine minutes left of game time, but the entire team followed Dufour into the end zone—a celebration of a touchdown that didn’t count, but one worth whatever repercussion came with it because, as Broach said, “He deserved this.”

“It was my favorite moment,” said Broach. “Talk about a kid who deserves this opportunity. He represents a lot of what Liberty football is about— such a good teammate, and that’s where we’re the most proud.”

“That was something special,” Skelton said of Dufour’s touchdown. “Seeing him make the play and have some fun was really nice. I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Meanwhile, fans and classmates could probably say the same about the entire Bison team—making quite the statement in this inaugural varsity season. But that’s not all that matters to Broach.

“Liberty High School itself is a pretty special place for a lot of people,” said Broach. “Football is one of those aspects, but there’s a lot more to this school.”

The Bison will finish non-league play on the road next Friday against San Gorgonio High at 7 p.m.

Brent Burroughs is ahead of the pack on the way to a touchdown Friday. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Eddie Smith tries to free his foot from the grasp of a Rubidoux defender. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

Anthony Ruelas powers his way toward the end zone for another Bison TD. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

Bison QB Troy Dulyn tries to squeeze through a hole between defenders. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)