High school football:
Liberty takes down Verrado; Chaparral stymies Williams Field.
Following a loss to rival Sunrise Mountain last week, Peoria Liberty rebounded to stop a rolling Buckeye Verrado team, 37-14, on Friday.
Verrado drew first blood on the second play from scrimmage when Zach Jernigan picked off Liberty quarterback Austin Svoboda and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown.
Liberty failed to get on the board until Kolter Nelson connected on a 34-yard field goal in the opening minutes of the second quarter. On the Lions’ next possession, Ryan Puskus capped an 11-play, 67-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge to put Liberty ahead 10-7.
Two plays later, Verrado’s Ja’Tai Jenkins broke off a 72-yard TD run to put the Vipers in front.
But Svoboda found Liberty’s Dylen Bieber, who weaved through defenders for a nifty 50-yard score that put the Lions in front at the half.
Bieber was back at it after the break, taking Liberty’s first play of the third 35 yards, through defenders and into the end zone.
Later that quarter, Puskus scored on another short-range rushing TD.
Standout performer
Dylen Bieber executed one of the most improbable touchdowns you’ll ever see. After catching a short pass from Austin Svoboda, Bieber danced through defenders for about 30 yards before eventually finding the end zone. And he did it again with a 35-yard score in the second half. He finished with 207 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.
More standouts
Ryan Puskus (Liberty): Puskus, a linebacker, was very effective in his limited role on offense. He scored two touchdowns on two touches, both on goal-line plays.
Ja’Tai Jenkins (Verrado): Jenkins caused problems for the Liberty defense all night.
He finished with 181 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Star watch
Ryan Bendle (Liberty): The Lions’ touted starting quarterback did not play after sustaining injury in last week’s loss to Sunrise Mountain. He was dressed and on the sideline but benched for precautionary reasons.
Quote of the game
After two highlight-reel plays on the field, Dylen Bieber was humble after the game.
“I was trying to make a play, and I got my opportunity, so just trying to make the play,” Bieber said.
Stat of the game
Ryan Puskus had two offensive touches for Liberty. He scored a touchdown on both.
Up next
Liberty will host Paradise Valley next Friday, while Verrado will take a bye week before traveling to face Deer Valley on Sept. 29.