By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Liberty takes a break from district competition Friday at 7:30 p.m. to host Palm Bay Heritage for homecoming.

The Chargers, 3-3, fell to 0-2 in 4A-7 last week after a 55-6 loss at Edgewater.

Coach David Benson said he told his team to quickly put that behind them.

“We’re in the same situation we were in last year (winless in the district to this point of the season),” Benson said. “All we can do from this point is win out.”

The Chargers were handicapped by the loss of versatile linebacker/running back Evan Durand, out with an ankle sprain.

“It was a game-time decision. It killed him because he wanted to be out there, but we just couldn’t get it healed,” Benson said.

Durand is questionable this week. The Chargers’ J.J. Elisis, the county’s leading scorer, was hampered by a shoulder injury, Benson said, that further limited the offense.

“We still had Jalen (Benn), who does a lot of things for us, but it’s nice to have the others in there as well,” Benson said.

The Chargers’ Kason Hooks partially blocked a punt late in the first quarter that led to quarterback Greg Hankerson’s 8-yard TD pass to Randy Gil to cut the Eagles lead to 13-6. Hankerson hit Ameer Thompson on a 31-yard pass play to set up the TD.

But, Liberty had little answer for Edgewater receiver Alton Howard, who scored four touchdowns.

“He is about as legit as they get. He has great hands and the ability to go and get the ball,” Benson said.

Benson said Liberty defenders were usually in position to make stops.

“It wasn’t like they beat up on us physically. Defensively, our game plan was in place. We were in position, we just didn’t make the tackles,” Benson said. “We’ll lick our wounds and go to the next game. There’s still a lot of games to play. Nothing has been decided, yet.”

Heritage, 3-1, is much improved in its second season, Benson said.

“That’s what you’d expect for a second-year program. They’re about the same place we were in our second season. They’ve got a new coach and they are doing things right. They play hard. This isn’t a team you can’t sleep on, or they’re going to get you,” Benson said.

The Chargers play their last four games at home. Liberty returns to district play Oct. 22 when unbeaten East River visits Charger Field. After that, Liberty meets St. Cloud and Poinciana, all in the district.