By J. Daniel Pearson
For the News-Gazette

After enduring many near-misses throughout the football season, the Liberty Chargers wrapped up the season in style by winning their final two games, including the Battle of the Boulevard against Poinciana last week, 61-23.

Chargers senior Jalen Benn rushed for a game-high 187 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Chargers, who finished 3-7.

It was a solid night in all three phases of the game for Liberty, which extended its all-time record to 6-0 over the Eagles. Poinciana finished the season at 1-9.

“It was an emotional game for our seniors and it was nice to go out with two straight wins,” Liberty head coach David Benson said. “It was somewhat of a frustrating year for us because we were so close in a couple of games. A few breaks and this team could have made the playoffs.”

The game was competitive early. After Justin Winkler made it 6-0 Liberty on a 10-yard touchdown reception from Isaiah Wilson, the Eagles stormed back. After Liberty failed to recover its on-side kick, quarterback Jonathan Lindstrom hit Joshua Lopez on a 56-yard bomb to give Poinciana a 7-6 lead at the 7:39 mark of the first quarter.

The Eagles recovered their on-side kick, but things would quickly go sour.  After losing the ball on downs, Liberty made it 14-7 on Benn’s 55-yard touchdown run and a Steven Phillips’ two-point conversion.

“We’re excited about the future,” Benson said.  “We only lose three starters on offense and return most of our defense.  For a freshman, Isaiah had a really good year for us.”

The Chargers gained 435 yards of total offense.