Liberty picks apart Houston

The Liberty Eagles used a burst of 36 second half points to take down the visiting Houston Tigers Friday night. 

 

It was a rematch of the epic last second thriller just two weeks ago. In that game, Liberty broke a 0-0 tie on the last play of regulation to win in exhilarating fashion. Much like that first game, the Eagles’ smothering defense held the Tigers off the scoreboard.  In this game, however, the Eagles showed how explosive their offense can be. 

 

The game started as a slow misty rain fell across the field. Liberty received the opening kick and methodically marched downfield. As was the case with the earlier meeting between the two teams, Houston's defense tightened up and forced a Liberty turnover on downs at the Tiger 18-yard line. 

 

Moments later, a bad quarterback-running back exchange put the ball on the grass. With the fumble recovery deep in Tiger territory, the Eagles hit paydirt. Jaren Rutledge pounded his way in from three yards away. The two-point conversion was no good, but Liberty held an early 6-0 lead. 

 

After a Houston three-and-out, Liberty started driving again. This time, Tiger standout Jordan Arthur snagged an interception and returned it into Eagle territory.

 

Once again, the stout Eagle defense came through and stopped the Tigers on downs.

 

The rest of the first half played out with both teams swapping possessions with no points to show for it. 

 

The second half would be a different story. 

 

The onslaught started when Liberty recovered the second half kickoff deep inside Houston territory. Gavin Reese punched in a two-yard run to extend the Liberty lead 12-0. 

 

A 34-yard pass from Reese to Parker Tune added more Eagle points midway through the third. Reese then found Kyle Roberts crossing the field for the conversion and 20-0 score. 

 

Reese would go on to add two more impressive scoring runs. One run went for 61 yards, the other went for 91. 

 

Rutledge capped off the night with a one-yard burst to end the game at 42-0.  

 

The dominant victory gives Liberty a big boost of confidence heading into a pivotal district championship matchup Friday night. The Eagles will hit the road and clash with the undefeated and Class 2 #1 ranked Fair Grove Eagles.