Liberty North can claim to be the champion of the city, as they topped their crosstown rival Liberty 14-3.
The two schools separated by 3.8 miles, met in a game that before kickoff, had the excitement and electricity that would rival any college game day experience. Defense would decide this contest.
The Liberty North Eagles got on the scoreboard first. At three minutes, 28 seconds of the first quarter senior quarterback scored on a 1-yard sneak. The ball was knocked backwards and recovered by the Blue Jays, but the officials had already signaled touchdown. Blake Craig converted the PAT and the Eagles took a 7-0 lead.
The Blue Jays best opportunity to get on the board, was with 2:58 left in the half, had a 4th and goal from inside the 2. Wentric Williams III, took a handoff and dove for the goal line but was stopped short. Eagles defensive lineman Jackson Williams shot through the line causing Williams III, helping blow up the run.
The Blue Jays scored when Kaden Rottjakob made a 36-yard field goal cutting the lead to 7-3.
However, the Eagles put the game out of reach when Van Dyne and Luke Matthews scored on a 47-yard pitch and catch. Van Dyne described the play, after the game, “I came to line and saw the safety roll down, and I smiled really big, because we had a post pattern called and I knew that it was there.”
One of the stellar defenders for the Eagles, was Garrett Linn. When asked about his defensive squad forcing four, 3 plays and out, Linn replied “We play defense like a fist, stay together, and work together.”
Liberty North improves 4-0 and will be on the road again next week, as the travel to St. Joe Central.
The Blue Jays are now 2-2 and will also be on the road and they take on Lee’s Summit North.
