After opening the season with a victory, Liberty came home to open their brand-new multi-purpose stadium the Liberty Hospital Activity Complex against Belton. The Blue Jays' got off to a grand-beginning in their new digs with some high-powered offense 43-17 victory over the Pirates.
The Blue Jays (2-0) came into the contest with the Pirates as the No. 5 ranked team in the Missouri Media Poll in Class 5 and they did nothing against the Pirates to drop them in the polls in Class 5.
After an early interception, Blue Jays' senior quarterback Thomas Henrichs found junior receiver Evan Streich on a pair of first quarter scores, for a 13-0 Blue Jays lead after the first quarter. Henrichs completed 12-17 for 239 with the 2 TD's.
"We felt like we hit on all-cylinders on offense in the first half," Blue Jays' coach Chad Frigon said. "2-0 is a great place to be. We know we have a big one next week and we hope to be hitting on all-cylinders at Liberty North."
After a 33-yard field goal by Pirates (0-2) junior placekicker Josh Riley trimmed the Pirates' deficit to 13-3, it was all-Blue Jays until the half.
Blue Jays senior running back Robert Rawie rumbled for 78 of his 164 yards on 16 carries and 3 TD's in the second quarter. The first came on two-yard carry up the gut for a 19-3 Blue Jays lead. Then he polished off the second quarter scoring with a 16-yard scamper to pay dirt for a 27-3 Blue Jays lead after junior placekicker Grant Ross booted the extra-point through the uprights.
After Rawie, raced up the sideline for a 39-yard score his evening was finished with the Blue Jays leading 33-3 with 9;20 left in the third quarter.
"The line was doing a good job making a seam and I did my best making the cuts," Rawie said. "The student section and community were great tonight for coming out and helping us open our new stadium."
The Pirates added a couple of scores in the fourth quarter after senior quarterback Bart Harris connected with classmate Dante Madden on a 48-yard screen pass that found the end zone.
The Blue Jays' got a score from junior running back Jack Lowery from 40 yards out on the ground giving them a 40-9 lead in the fourth quarter.
Then, Harris found senior receiver Jaden Clark for a 42-yard score, but it wasn't enough as Liberty defeated Belton 43-17.
Harris finished with 248 yards passing throwing for 2 TD's and 2 interceptions.
Madden rushed for 126 yards on 20 totes with 80 yards receiving on 4 receptions and one-score.
"They came out and made plays tonight that we didn't make," Pirates' coach Todd Vaughn said. "You have to give it to their quarterback and running back. They did some good things and we had a tough-time stopping them."
Liberty travels to Liberty North for a 7 p.m. kick-off next Friday.
Belton welcomes Winnetonka for a 7 p.m. home contest next Friday.
