After suffering their first loss of the season last week, the Lubbock-Cooper Liberty Patriots left everything on the field this time around in a district opening 56-14 thwarting of Perryton at Rangers Stadium.
The Patriots are now 6-1 on the season and 1-0 in District 2-4A Division II play, while Perryton falls to 3-4 overall and 0-1 in the league.
“It was a huge bounce back win for us, and it’s how we wanted to open district,” Liberty head coach Joe Sexon said. “This is a long road trip, and Perryton is a tough place to play. They are a good football team. I’m happy to how we responded on this trip and we played a great game on both sides of the ball.”
The Patriots hit paydirt on their first play from the line of scrimmage when Colton Bichard hit Levi Walker for an 81 yard scoring toss. Jackson Gonzalez’ point after was good for the 7-0 lead.
“The offensive and defensive lines played a huge part of getting us this win. We scored on our first play we ran, and that set the tone,” Sexson said.
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The Rangers quickly answered when quarterback Cooper Schilling hit his favorite receiver Gordo Estrada with a 37 yard strike. The point after was good to tie the game at 7-7.
Liberty finished the quarter out with all they needed for a win. Gonzalez rushed in for a four yard score, and his point after put the Patriots up 14-7. Talon Wilcox finished out the quarter with a 58 yard scoring rush, and the point after sent Liberty into the second up 21-7.
Bichard took control for the Patriots in the second. He rushed in for a nine-yard score, and hit Pierce Fioroni with a 33-yard scoring toss. Both point after kicks were good for a 35-7 Patriot lead at half.
Kaiden Joseph opened the scoring in the third when he trotted 70 yards to find the endzone. Bichard followed that with a four yard scoring run, and the Patriots headed to the fourth up 49-7.
Colin Chadwick rounded out the Patriot scoring in the fourth when he rushed in from 3 yards out. The point after left Liberty leading 56-7. A 29 yard scoring run from Schilling, and the point after would bring up the games final score.
Joseph led the rushing for Liberty with 122 of the teams 418 yards on the ground with one score. Bichard completed 7 of 9 pass attempts for 160 yards. Walker was Bichards favorite receiver with five receptions for 123 yards and a score.
“The offensive line has been the difference all year. They open up holes and we have really good backs that take advantage,” Sexson said.
Schilling was the lead rusher for Perryton with 65 yards on 12 attempts and one score. He also led the passing with 230 yards on 21 completions and one score. Estrada hauled in 11 of those passes for 146 yards.
Next up for Liberty is hosting the Borger Bulldogs (0-6 and 0-1). Perryton will travel to Lubbock to take on a tough Estacado squad (5-2, 1-0).
