Liberty has another easy victory, 40-0 over Citrus Hill

Anthony Quinones, making his debut at quarterback, looks for an open receiver. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Here’s how things are going for the Liberty High football team these days:

Visiting Citrus Hill kicked off to the Bison to start Friday’s game. Junior sensation Eddie Smith received the ball at the 19-yard line, reversed directions, found himself in a crowd of would-be tacklers, spun away, almost lost his balance at the 30, then sprang free down the left sideline for an 81-yard touchdown run.

For all intents and purposes, the game was over at that point. Playing a winless Citrus Hill team, the Bison led 20-0 after the first quarter, 40-0 at halftime, and sent in the reserves to play out a scoreless second half that was contested with a running clock.

Simply put, anything that can go right for the Bison, does. In seven games this season – all victories – Liberty has outscored the opposition 257-68. The team has now scored four shutouts by a combined score of 152-0. Since the third week of the season, no opponent has come within 29 points of Liberty.

If that isn’t enough, factor in the arrival of quarterback Anthony Quinones, who just became eligible this week. Taking over the starting QB job, Quinones passed for 163 yards and 4 touchdowns in just one half of play.

Bison coach Kraig Broach acknowledged that even in a lop-sided game like this, it can be a challenge to stay focused.

“As much as you can, you just try to focus on what you do, and do your assignment well,” said Broach. “I think we did that tonight. I was happy with the communication with everybody, I was happy with the focus, and I didn’t see a lot of mistakes tonight. But we’ve talked before that this is just part of the process. We’re growing and we need to get better.”

After stopping the Hawks on their first drive, Liberty drove 74 yards in 7 plays to take a 13-0 lead when Quinones passed 15 yards to Smith for a touchdown. Quinones showed poise in rolling right and hitting Smith at about the 10-yard line. Smith did the rest.

Moments later, the Bison had the ball again and took only two plays to make it 20-0 when Anthony Ruelas ran 67 yards for a score. Citrus Hill’s first possession of the second quarter ended in a punt that Smith returned 15 yards to midfield. On the Bison’s very next play, Quinones passed 50 yards to a wide-open Zach Velasco for the score and a 26-0 lead.

Quinones’ pass perfectly led a streaking Velasco, who caught the ball at the 10 and raced in untouched. It was an impressive debut for Quinones in taking over the starting job from Troy Dulyn.

“Obviously, Quinones had a good first game for us,” Broach said. “And Troy Dulyn … what a great kid, how he welcomed him and stepped aside for a positional change. You can’t ask for more of a young man than to step up in a situation like that.”

Quinones was at it again moments later, passing 9 yards to Dylan Ornelas for another score. His final TD pass covered 49 yards to Ruelas.

As easy as this win was to achieve, everyone on the Liberty roster realizes it will be a much great challenge next week when the Bison play at San Jacinto. The Tigers improved to 5-2 Friday night with a 55-48 victory over an equally talented Tahquitz team, which Liberty plays the final week of the season.

Broach was asked how he gets his team up for an expected tough matchup after such an easy victory.

“We don’t have to do that,” he said. “The game itself dictates that. Playing San Jacinto next week is going to be an extremely tough test for our team. And the kids know that.

“It’s going to be kind of a monumental task for us next week, but it will be fun.”

Zach Velasco finds no one around him as he races in with a touchdown catch. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Andre Skelton tries to avoid a defender during Friday night's game. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Eddie Smith gets help from a blocker on the way to a kickoff return for a TD. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)