It's another Liberty High School Bison stampede, 35-0

Liberty High's Anthony Ruelas dives over the pylon to complete a 14-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Kraig Broach’s teams posted a 40-0 record in Sunbelt League games during his years as head football coach at Heritage High, but it’s doubtful that he witnessed many league victories more impressive than the one his Liberty Bison posted Friday night.

The Bison won the physical battles, piled up 301 yards total offense, held the opposition to 79 yards total offense, scored on an interception return, blocked a punt to set up a touchdown, and simply dominated every phase of the game. The result was a 35-0 home victory over West Valley, which had come into the game undefeated.

Now, after winning the first league game in the school’s brief history, it’s the Bison who remain unbeaten with a 6-0 record.

“We moved the ball in the first half but didn’t have anything to show for it, but the physicality on the defensive side … I was very impressed with our guys today,” Broach said. “The whole team. … they’re growing. They’re not there yet, but they took another step forward today because West Valley’s a good football team.

“It’s so hard [to evaluate] because this is an incomplete project right here. I know we’re improving, and I think that’s awesome. In a positive way, there’s a lot of growth in us. I’m excited to see how much better they can get.”

The “incomplete project” refers to a team still without a senior class and just over halfway through the regular season. Even so, there was nothing incomplete about what the Bison did Friday night, including:

-- The consistent running of Anthony Ruelas, who finished with 134 yards rushing. Over and over, the talented junior broke tackles to create big gains. He also scored touchdowns on runs of 8 and 14 yards – the latter being an impressive run around right end in which he finished with a dive over the pylon for the score.

-- A crushing tackle by defensive back Dylan Ornelas on West Valley receiver Jaylyn Dennis in the closing seconds of the first half, preventing a Mustang first down. On the next play, Bison linebacker Eddie Smith intercepted a Fred Ferrence pass and returned it 37 yards for the only score of the half and a 6-0 Bison lead.

-- A blocked punt by Brent Burroughs deep in West Valley territory, setting up a Bison touchdown three plays later on a 6-yard run by Andre Skelton.

-- Domination on the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense. Facing some much bigger opposing linemen, the Bison stood tall and pushed hard.

In addition to Ruelas’ offensive heroics and the consistent play of quarterback Troy Dulyn, Smith had a big game in all phases. Although he rushed for just 20 yards on 5 carries, his interception return for a TD gave the Bison a boost and his defense was impressive.

“Just a great young man,” Broach said about Smith. “Offensively, defensively, special teams … we ask him to do a lot, and how he plays football is the right way. Physical, fast, respectful, mean, all that mixed into one. That’s what you want.

"We also really like Ruelas. When he runs the ball, he runs the ball angry, with something to prove. You can’t ask for more as a coach.”

With the game well in hand and time running out, Broach gave his second-string players some snaps, and the intensity level never dropped. The drive was capped by Connor Greenwood – the school’s JV quarterback – running 14 yards for the final touchdown.

“They deserve it,” Broach said about the reserves. “The guys came in and they executed. It was great to see that other guys were involved.”

So in six games, the Bison have outscored opponents 217-68. Next up on the Mountain Pass League schedule is Citrus Hill, which will bring an 0-6 record onto Liberty’s home field next Friday.

Eddie Smith races toward the goal line to complete an interception return for a touchdown. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Brent Burroughs blocks a punt to set up a Liberty High touchdown in the third quarter. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Liberty High defender Dylan Ornelas delivers a crushing blow to West Valley's Jaylyn Dennis. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Eddie Smith is off and running to gain some yardage Friday night. (Photo by Rick Rowell).

 Anthony Ruelas fights off a defender while picking up yardage in Friday's win. (Photo by Rick Rowell)