Orange Vista proves to be too much for Liberty, 35-0

Liberty quarterback Anthony Quinones rolls out to pass Thursday. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Liberty High School football team lost their league match-up with Orange Vista 35-0 at home Thursday night.

With two Coyote touchdowns in the first quarter and two to follow in the next, the Bison had their work cut out for them at halftime. Junior Trent Hallis said his coach’s words during the break helped motivate him to put in that work.

“Coach talked to us about how this second half could define us,” Hallis said. “He said this is when we would show what kind of men we wanted to be and we wanted to not be quitters.”

Liberty came out in the third quarter for an eight-play drive that covered 36 yards. That put them nearly in scoring position until the Coyotes had an interception right inside their own 10-yard line.

Even so, the Bison forced a punt in four plays and had another chance to score, sitting at field goal range within seven plays. The kick from 30 yards out just barely failed, however, keeping Liberty off the scoreboard at the end of the third quarter.

Orange Vista had the ball within the red zone at the start of the fourth quarter and scored in the first five seconds, making the score 35-0. With a running clock, the fourth quarter went by quickly, ending with the Bison putting their last effort in and getting in the red zone, only to have it stopped by a quarterback sack at the end of the game.

Head coach Adam Contreras said even though the team has gone through a tough season, he was proud of their showing on the night and throughout the week leading up to the game.

“They showed up on Monday and were so ready to work and pump each other up,” Contreras said, referencing a team meeting called by the student leadership of his team. “I didn’t have to do any of that, and, although I think my attitude as the coach is important, there’s nothing that compares to those kids taking that initiative.”

Liberty now has just two wins in their season and none in their league games so far, with five overall losses. Having joined a new league this year and after graduating their first ever senior class, the Bison have met their fair share of obstacles.

But Contreras continues to believe in his team and their ability to turn it around and put in the necessary effort.

“They came in so strong this past Monday and I know they’re going to come back next Monday with the same energy,” he said.

Liberty has three games left in the regular season and the next is at JW North next Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Parris Peacock moves in to make the tackle on an Orange Vista opponent. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Trent Hallis makes a diving tackle to prevent a touchdown. (Photo by Action Captures Media Grouo)

Liberty's Jaylen Skelton picks up yardage on a kickoff return. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)