Liberty spoils Reardan's homecoming

REARDAN-The Liberty Lancers came to town on Oct. 21 and busted the Screaming Eagles' party.

Prior to the homecoming football game, family and friends honored the team's seniors with flowers and balloons.

The festive mood did not last long. Costly turnovers and miscues allowed Liberty to make big plays that carried them to a 21-0 victory.

The first quarter was evenly matched; each team's defense holding their opponent's offense in check. That changed when Lancers' quarterback Jake Jeske connected with Ashton Strobel on a 34-yard pass.

On the next play, Jeske scrambled to his left and scampered eight yards into the end zone.

The Lancers struck again late in the third quarter when they sacked Screaming Eagles quarterback Rysen Soliday, who fumbled the ball. Clae Holling scooped it up and rambled 55-yards for the Lancers second touchdown.

Late in the game, Strobel scored the Lancers final touchdown on a 27-yard run.

Each team did a poor job maintaining possession of the ball. Reardan's offense turned the ball over to Liberty's defense four times. Liberty's offense returned the favor, handing the ball back three times.

The difference in the game was that Liberty capitalized on their opponent's miscues, and Reardan didn't.

The Lancers accumulated 198 yards in total offense compared to Reardan's 83.

Aiden Chilson, Robert Colvin and Dirk Shearer were Reardan's main contributors on defense.

They recorded seven, five and four tackles, respectively.

"Turnovers were the difference in the game," Liberty coach Brian Harrington said.

Harrington was grateful the teams played each other in their final league game because, "Reardan's toughness will help us as we enter the playoffs."

"They always give us close, tough and fun games," Harrington said. "Reardan is a great school to play against."

Reardan coach Matt Clouse praised his team's grit and the leadership provided by his seniors.

"This group of seniors is not the best athletes, but that is a compliment because they have shown the rest of the team how to play with their hearts and heads," Clouse said. We need to get back to toughness. That's what Reardan football is and these seniors have demonstrated that."

The loss dropped the Screaming Eagles NE2B record to 2-5. Liberty improved to 6-1.

Reardan plays next Friday, Oct. 28, when they travel to Kettle Falls to take on the Bulldogs.