Liberty High hit parade keeps rolling along, 48-13
Liberty's Eddie Smith runs over a defender for a big gain during Friday's game. (Photo by Rick Rowell) By Paige Mendez, Corresponden...
By Paige Mendez, Correspondent
The Liberty High School football team won its second league game at Citrus Hill Friday night, 48-13.
The Bison, who now boast a 6-1 overall record, started the game off with a 40-yard touchdown run from Trent Hallis before the nine-minute mark. A forced punt by Liberty’s defense on the next Hawk possession put the Bison back in position to score in just seven plays, on a touchdown pass from quarterback Anthony Quinones to Zachary Velasco.
The next three Bison possessions were each just one play, including two punt returns into the end zone -- from Eddie Smith and Andre Skelton, respectively -- and a fumble recovery-touchdown run from Smith. Those three touchdowns brought the score to 34-0 around the 10-minute mark of the second quarter.
Senior Elijah Campbell intercepted a pass on the next Citrus possession and ran it 34 yards to bring the Bison into the red zone one more time before the half. That pick led to another Smith touchdown.
Campbell, who has been working hard all year for a moment to shine, according to head coach Adam Contreras, said the interception was a long time coming.
“I’ve been working hard for the past couple years; it felt good to get paid,” Campbell said. “I was just doing what I had to do, and it was meant for me.”
The rest of the game was smooth sailing for Campbell and the other starters on the team, as younger players were able to enter the game and get varsity experience.
In the second half with a running clock, the Hawks were able to put up two touchdowns, the first of which led to an extra point kick that was blocked by Cody Smith.
Despite the two opposing scores, Contreras still said that part of the game is his favorite because of moments like Cody Smith had.
“It’s always great to see these younger guys get their time out there,” he said. “I love seeing those guys get in.”
He also added that, while a shutout would have been nice, he was glad it didn’t happen.
“I have a deal with the team that I have to buy them donuts if it’s a blowout, and 65 kids means a lot of donuts,” he said. “So I’m happy to save that money.”
The kickoff from the second Citrus Hill touchdown led to the final play of the game. That ended with another noteworthy moment from a younger player, Silvester Rodríguez, who ran it back from the 15-yard line for one final Bison touchdown on the night.
Eddie Smith, who shared a little frustration at not being able to run up his stats by playing in the second half, nevertheless said it was worth it to be on the sidelines to see Rodriguez score on that last play.
“It was fun on that last play. It’s fun to see those guys get a chance when we’re in situations like this to shine and show what they’re made of,” Smith said. “We’re a family, so we root for the younger guys and it’s a team effort.”
The Bison will continue that effort next week with a home game against San Jacinto (3-3).
Contreras said this game’s ending is exactly what he wants for his team before heading into a tough matchup.
“I want them to be fired up and focused because of what went right for us tonight,” he said. “We’ll have to be locked in right away on Monday.”
That San Jacinto game will happen at Liberty Friday night at 7 p.m.
Trent Hallis crosses the goal line with the Bison's first touchdown of the night. (Photo by Rick Rowell)
Michael Ouarkoub (left) and Parris Peacock combine on a quarterback sack. (Photo by Rick Rowell)
Silvester Rodriguez returns a kickoff for a touchdown late in the game. (Photo by Rick Rowell)
