Liberty ‘D’ dominates

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Liberty ‘D’ dominates

Sports

Wednesday, 02 June 2010 12:28

News-Gazette Photos/
Mary McIntee

Liberty running back J.J. Elisis (20) is taken to the ground by a Lake Region defender as Liberty receiver Randy Gil (5) trails the play during the spring game Friday at Chargers field.

Rain doesn’t swamp LHS

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Rain delayed Liberty, but it couldn’t stop the Chargers from posting an impressive 14-0 shutout over Lake Region Friday at its spring game at Charger field.
The game was delayed for about an hour by thunderstorms.
But, behind a formidable defensive line that shut down the Thunder, Liberty’s defense dominated the game and gave the offense, led by sophomore Greg Hankerson, enough time to put together a pair of scoring drives.
Sophomore Bobby Jones, one of the defensive linemen who frustrated the Lake Region offense, scored a touchdown on a short run as part of Liberty’s goal line package.

Chargers defensive lineman Rene Rodriguez (56) tries to bat down a pass on the rain- soaked turf. The Liberty defense did not allow a score during the Chargers 14-0 victory. The game was delayed over an hour by
thunderstorms.

Hankerson threw a short pass to Jalen Benn for Liberty’s second score.
Liberty Coach David Benson, who officially was given the job Tuesday, said it was a good way to conclude the spring drills, especially by the defense.
“Our defensive line is very fast, very physical and hard to block,” Benson said. “They (the Thunder) had a hard time blocking them. That’s the same problem our offense has in practice. Our linemen are very fast, they all run under five seconds in the 40, and they move well.”
The Chargers defensive front includes Jones, Mauricio Chacon, Akia Farruya and Renee Rodriguez.
Junior Evan Durand, making the switch from fullback to linebacker, also played well, Benson said.
“I thought he played well.”
The Chargers forced two turnovers.
Whatever concerns Benson had for the offense were at least partially relieved after watching it move consistently on a wet field against Lake Region, he said.
“I was a little worried about our offensive line, but we were able to maintain control and have a few long drives,” Benson said. “Greg did some good things, and J.J. Elisis, who led the county in rushing last year, played a great game. With (sophomore) Jalen Benn, we have a good rotation where I’m happy to see either one of them on the field. We went into the third quarter, and neither one of them was tired because we were able to alternate the carries.”
Benson said the wet field conditions didn’t hinder his offense.
“The good thing about our field is that it is crowned, and it drains pretty well. There were a few puddles, but nothing where you had guys up to their ankles in mud,” he said. “I don’t think the rain bothers Hankerson much, because his hands are so big. We had a practice in the rain last week, and he was throwing the ball fine.”
Overall, Benson believes his team maintained the momentum that it developed last season when the Chargers finished 8-3 and won the Scholarship Bowl in their first postseason appearance.
“I thought we made a lot of progress and now we’re looking forward to having more success next season,” he said. “We just need to make sure that we get our work in over the summer and keep it going. We don’t want to let up.”