Eagles Blast Indians 47-6

After earning the top seed and a first-round bye in Class 2 District 3, the Eagles took on the Strafford Indians at the Nest Friday night.

It took just one play for Liberty to get on the board. Drew Ripko caught the opening kickoff at his own 21 and out-ran the Indian coverage team for the touchdown. 

Then, it was Strafford's chance to return the favor, and they marched down the field mixing up inside and outside runs. The Indians ran out of gas, however, when Liberty's Kaden Farrell made a big tackle in the backfield on fourth-and-two at the 32-yard line. 

On third-and-ten, Liberty's Ripko took a jet sweep outside and passed downfield to a wide-open Lucas Frazier for a 54-yard score. 

After the teams traded punts, Kal Acklin intercepted a Strafford pass at the 48-yard line. A few plays later, Carter Pruett tallied a score from five yards out. At the end of the first quarter, Liberty was up 21-0. 

On Strafford's next possession, Gavin Reese stepped in front of an Indian pass and took it the distance for a 39-yard pick-six. 

Liberty closed out the half tossing two more touchdown passes. Pruett found Acklin for 15 yards, and then Reese for 21. At halftime, Liberty had built a 39-0 lead.

In the second half, Ripko scampered in from 13-yards away to finish the Eagles' scoring on the night.

Strafford scored as time expired with a 54-yard bomb from Jourdyn Edelstein to AK Rael to make the final 47-6. 

Friday night, Liberty will meet up with the 9-2 Mountain Grove Panthers for the District Championship. Mountain Grove gave Liberty their toughest competition of the season, squeaking out with a 27-13 victory. Both teams will look to bring their "A" game in a winner-goes-on playoff battle.