Photo Credit: Eric Langhorst/Langhorst PhotographyThe best postseason run in Liberty history came to an end with a 34-14 loss at DeSmet Saturday.
The Jays stayed with the Spartans early and had a chance to make it a one-score game right before half but couldn’t punch it in before time ran out. DeSmet would control the second half and earn a chance to play for the Missouri Class 6 state championship 7 p.m. Friday at Faurot Field in Columbian against Nixa that was a 56-46 winner over Kirkwood in the other semifinal.
A close game for most of the first half a couple of interceptions stalled Liberty drives and put DeSmet in postion to jump to a 21-7 lead in the second quarter.
Liberty Coach Chad Frigon said the early mistakes stopped their momentum and DeSmet always seemed to have an answer.
“We had some opportunities early to take the lead but had some costly turnovers,” Frigon said. “De Smet played really well, every time we made a big play or cut on the lead, they had an answer.”
The Spartans opened the scoring with Dylan Duff to Nathan Hatcher with two minutes 44 seconds left in the first quarter to grab a 7-0 lead.
Liberty would answer just two plays later when Jackson Hicks broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run to even the score at 7-7.
Duff would run in from 16 yards out with 9:56 left in the second quarter to give DeSmet a 14-7 lead. The Spartans would extend the margin to 21-7 when Duff found Wyatt Stults from 17-yards out with 3:05 left in the half.
Liberty would then drive inside the DeSmet 5-yard line in the final minute of the half, but Hicks would be stopped on several plays ending the Jays momentum from a drive that looked to get them back in the game.
Liberty would get the ball to start the second half and crossed into Spartans territory, but a bad snap moved the ball back into Liberty territory stalling the opening drive of the third quarter.
DeSmet would extend the lead to 27-7 when Hatcher went around the right side and found open field on the sideline for a 69-yard touchdown with 8:04 left in the third quarter.
Liberty would cut the lead to 27-14 on a 2-yard Hicks touchdown with 10:44 left in the game but that would be as close as the Jays would get.
Frigon was proud of his team and the community that had supported them all season long.
“I was proud of our students and fans for working through some tough conditions to support our team,” Frigon said.
Liberty finishes the season at 9-4.
