By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Last season, Liberty won a school-record eight games.

Coach David Benson expects that success to continue when the team begins the 2010 regular season Friday at 7 p.m. at Lakeland Tenoroc.

The Chargers, who lost the Kickoff Classic, 21-13, against East Ridge Thursday, defeated Tenoroc last season and even though the Titans return 16 starters, Benson believes Liberty can do it again.

“They’re not East Ridge,” Benson said. “It should be a good game for us.”

Liberty’s varsity, despite trailing most of the game, rallied for two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter against East Ridge.

“Like I said, I liked our effort. We just had a lot of small assignment errors. If we make a block on our 2 yard line, Jalen (Benn) goes 98 yards for a touchdown,” Benson said. “It’s the little things. Stay on a block a fraction of a second longer, and your run can be 20, 25 yards longer. We do those things and we probably put another three touchdowns on the board.”

Tenoroc lost to former Class A state champion Fort Meade, 32-13, last week.

The Titans tried a variety of offensive formations, Benson said.

“I’m not sure whether they’re trying to find their identity or what, but they tried some spread, some option and some two-back,” Benson said. “It’s driving our defensive coordinator crazy, but with the athletes we have I’m sure we’ll be able to come up with something.”

The Titans’ big-play threats include Stanley Absanon, who ran 72 yards for a score against Fort Meade.

Benson said the team will play without junior linebacker Jamarius Leeks Friday after Leeks’ eyebrow was cut late in the fourth quarter against East Ridge.

“He actually made a pretty good hit that caused a fumble that we recovered,” Benson said. “They closed it with a butterfly bandage, but he won’t be with us Friday. He’ll have to wait a week.”

Benson said wide receiver Greg Hayes may soon return to the lineup after missing the Kickoff Classic.

Other than those two, Benson said the Chargers are healthy as they begin their fourth season.

Liberty plays non-district games against Tenoroc, Spruce Creek and Gateway before the 4A District 7 opener against Harmony. By then, Benson expects the Chargers to be playing their best.

“Most teams peak by week 5, and after that it’s a matter of consistency,” Benson said.