Here is a preview of the Liberty Christian Patriots for the 2011 Southeast 1B high school football season:
Coach: Mike Olson (5th year, 18-20).
Last league title: Never.
Last playoff berth: Never.
Home field: Hanford High School.
Returning starters
WR/DB Brandon Peterson, Jr. (5-10, 155); WR/DB Tyler Morris, Jr. (6-0, 165); QB/LB Taylor Lindquist, So. (6-0, 170); QB/DB Mike Olson, Jr. (5-10, 195); RB/LB Reace Howard, Jr. (6-0, 180); RB/LB Corbin Steele, Jr. (6-2, 235); OL/DL Timmy Koglin, Jr. (5-9, 195).
Others to watch: RB/LB Tate Richards, Fr. (5-9, 185); OL/DL Riley Smith, So. (6-1, 205); OL/DL Lucas Pomeroy, So. (5-9, 175); TE/DL Jake Conaway, So. (6-1, 185).
Quick hits
* “We had a super sophomore class last year,” Coach Olson said. “And we’re kind of riding on that class for another couple of years.”
* Standing tall among the Patriots’ offensive leaders are Morris and Mike Olson. Morris averaged 84 all-purpose yards a game last season and scored eight TDs. Olson rushed for 232 yards and six TDs, and was 72-of-108 passing for 1,521 yards and 21 TDs.
* Defensively, Koglin returns with some impressive stats: He recorded four sacks and 42 total tackles (24 solo, 18 assists) last year.
Outlook Liberty Christian played its own brand of eight-man ball last season and rolled to nine victories, including wins against bigger schools such as Tri-Cities Prep (54-40) and Touchet (72-40). All signs indicate the Patriots should continue that high-octane trend this season.
