By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

The Battle on the Boulevard was a lopsided affair Friday as Liberty raced past rival Poinciana, 55-0, at Eagle Field.

Liberty ended the season at 5-5, while Poinciana slipped to 0-9. Poinciana plays at Agape Christian to wrap up the regular season next Friday.

“We wanted to finish the season strong. That’s what we have on the back of our shirts, ‘Finish,’” Liberty Coach David Benson, who got a Gatorade shower, said. “It’s the Battle of the Boulevard, and the guys wanted to finish with a big win.”

Liberty took advantage of three turnovers, all interceptions. It scored 21 points in the first quarter on Durand TD runs of 1 and 5 yards, and on a 30-yard dash from Jalen Benn.

Benn scored on a 45-yard run on the last play of the first half, making it 28-0, and Durand scored on a 55-yard run on the first play of the second half to make it 35-0.

Charger quarterback Greg Hankerson ran 1-yard to make it 42-0 on the Chargers’ next possession and then J.J.  Elisis (9-120, 1 TD) ran in from the 12 to make it 48-0. Michael Garcia kicked 4 PATs. Durand ran for a 2-point conversion.

Senior receiver Randy Gil, who had an interception and returned a punt 30 yards to set up Durand’s second TD, said it was a good way to finish his high school career.

“We just wanted to come out and end the season with a bang,” he said.

Elisis, who was the county’s leading rusher last season, said he is glad he played for the Chargers.

“From the coaches to the team managers, it was the best team I ever played for,” he said.

Linebacker Steve Langdale had an interception for the Chargers off a tipped ball by teammate Diavanti Bedford. Bedford also deflected the pass Gil intercepted in the Chargers end zone, ending Poinciana’s best drive of the night in the first quarter.

The Chargers totaled 376 yards to Poinciana’s 58.

Liberty is undefeated in the four-game series against the Eagles.