Liberty improves record to 4-1 with big win, 48-7

Liberty's Andre Skelton dives across the goal line for one of his three touchdowns. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Liberty High football team scored a 48-7 victory over San Gorgonio Friday night in their Homecoming game.

Andre Skelton brought in the first touchdown for the Bison -- now 4-1 overall -- on just their third offensive play. That Liberty possession came after an interception by linebacker Eddie Smith was fumbled, then recovered by Anthony Ruelas and brought to the Spartan 23-yard line.

Smith said he started the night with a chip on his shoulder from last week’s loss in overtime.

“I just came in trying to persevere through the hard times and keep my head up,” said Smith, who ran for nearly 80 yards on the night. “It feels really good after last week, like a comeback story.”

San Gorgonio was still in the game to try to re-write the story in their next possession.

After a forced punt was fumbled by Smith, the Spartans recovered it on the 33-yard line. They converted the turnover into a touchdown just four plays later.

That fumble added to Smith’s need to “redeem himself” -- his words -- but that wouldn’t come until the second quarter, when the Bison were already up 21-7 thanks to another Skelton touchdown and one on a big-time reception by wide receiver Zachary Velasco.

Skelton, who tallied over 80 yards on the night, gave the credit to the linemen.

“They’re just doing their job out there,” Skelton said of the offensive line. “They’ve been together for like two years now, some more than that, so the chemistry they have with each other is why we’re scoring like this.”

After the third Bison touchdown, the snap was fumbled by the Spartans and Smith recovered it and brought it 52 yards into the end zone for another seven on the board before halftime.

“That fumble recovery felt good,” Smith said. “It definitely felt good to redeem myself and finally step in the end zone tonight.”

It wasn’t a whole two minutes into the second half before Skelton found the end zone again and brought the score to 34-7.

“We worked all off-season for this and I think it really helped us with our chemistry,” said Skelton of his team’s performance on the offensive side of the game.

Ruelas, another key component of the Liberty offense, ran for 72 yards on the night. He also caught the next touchdown pass from quarterback Anthony Quinones, who threw for 52 yards overall.

The last Bison touchdown came from Dylan Tyler, a junior running back, after sophomore Parris Peacock had a 20-yard run in the previous play to get within the 15.

“That was the highlight of the game for me,” said Skelton of his younger teammates getting the final score. “It’s cool to see him get in the game; it’s getting him reps on varsity. It’s building up his confidence.”

Bison coach Kraig Broach said that support from the older kids for their younger teammates really makes a program.

“Towards the end of the game some kids get in that don’t get that opportunity normally, so to watch them get in and have success is so cool,” said Broach. “I am very happy with our senior crew here. There’s a lot of positive energy and it permeates throughout the program. It’s fun.”

The Bison will have a bye next week and will start league play Sept. 29 at West Valley at 7 p.m.

Eddie Smith is off and running during Liberty's big victory Friday night. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Defensive lineman Elijah Conner closes in on a San Gorgonio ballcarrier. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Anthony Ruelas heads into the end zone for another Liberty High touchdown. (Photo by Rick Rowell)

 Zachary Velasco leaps over a defender to make a touchdown catch Friday night. (Photo by Rick Rowell)