The First of Many

This Friday was the epitome of a football night. The weather was not great, but it was good. A pep rally was held during school following a rather spirit filled week, and Homecoming would occur the following day. Before the game, Liberty’s Homecoming Court and the student government led a parade around the school district ending with Daje’Auna Adams being crowned Homecoming Queen.

Getting back to the football aspect of the night, the Leopards were hungry for a win. After a 0-4 start to the season, the Homecoming game was a perfect place to turn the season around. That is exactly what the Leopards did.

In the first half, the offense had many promising drives that simply did not end with points. Although the defense kept Campbell out of the end zone the Red Devils went into halftime with a 3-0 lead.

The second half showed that great defense leads to great offense. The Leopards defense took more than it gave, allowing -10 yards to Campbell in the second half. That great defense gave the Leopards the ball back with 4:56 remaining in the game.

After a 21 yard run by senior JaShaun Whitman and a 2 yard carry by senior Brandon Smith, Junior quarterback Andre Bowers found Whitman streaking down the field for 30 yards and a fresh set of downs. A 4 yard reception by senior Kaylon Davis and a defensive pass interference call on the Red Devils gave Liberty a first and goal from the Campbell 5. After an incomplete pass by Bowers intended for Whitman, sophomore Dra Rushton found the end zone on a QB keeper. Senior Brendan Gilmartin added on to the score with an extra point clear through the uprights.

After the score, the Red Devils were looking to put together a touchdown drive of their own. JaShaun Whitman stopped the drive and sealed the game with an interception. The Leopards would let the clock expire and pick up their first win of the season, as well as the first of many in Coach Allen’s head coaching career.