By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

It was perhaps a little more exciting than the Chargers would have liked, but Liberty won the season opener at Lakeland Tenoroc, 27-20, last week.

Liberty, 1-0, welcomes Spruce Creek, 0-1, Friday at 7 p.m.

The Chargers survived a last-minute scare at Tenoroc when the Titans drove to the Liberty 1, but Dario Bennett knocked down Travis Tucker’s pass at the goal line to preserve the win.

Chargers Coach David Benson, happy to have the win, said his team squandered opportunities to make the game a blowout.

“Really, it could have been 41-7,” he said. “But, overall, our kids played hard and did what they had to do.”

Benson said Liberty’s defense was minus three starters at the end of the game. Two left during the game with concussions and linebacker Jamarius Leeks didn’t play because of a gash over his eye.

“But, we had some young guys come in and do a good job for us, and we’ll need them again this week,” Benson said.

The Chargers scored on runs from J.J. Elisis and Evan Durand, and on a pair of touchdown passes from Greg Hankerson to Randy Gil.

Tenoroc got big plays from Stanley Absanon, who scored on a 75-yard pass reception, and from Rashad Bell, who returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score.

“We gave up a couple of big plays, but our defense played well even though we were short-handed,” Benson said.

Elisis gained 130 yards on 11 carries to lead the Chargers attack.

Benson said the team will prepare to play Spruce Creek without the injured starters. Leeks separated a shoulder in practice Monday, Benson said, so he remains out.

Receiver Greg Hayes, injured in preseason practice, is out four to six weeks with a broken collarbone.

“It’s part of the game. Hopefully we’re getting our share those things out of the way early in the season,” Benson said.

Spruce Creek lost its opener against Daytona Beach Seabreeze, 18-0.