Soph quarterback throws 3 TD passes against Cypress Creek

By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

Liberty unveiled a quick-strike offense at its spring classic Friday and easily defeated Cypress Creek, 27-8, at Charger field.

Rising sophomore quarterback Terrell Bonds threw three touchdown passes and totaled nearly 200 yards in his varsity debut, said Coach David Benson.

“I’m very happy with the way it turned out. I knew from working with (Bonds) in the youth league that he had a pretty good arm and that he was capable of handling it,” Benson said.

The Chargers led 21-0 at the half as Bonds connected with another rising sophomore, Ameer Thompson, for TD passes of 35 and 40 yards.

Rising junior Jalen Benn raced 95 yards for Liberty’s first touchdown early in the first quarter.

Benson said during spring practice that this might be the quickest team the Chargers have fielded as they enter their fifth season, and nothing the team did Friday disputed that.

“With Ameer and Marion Brown, who was ninth in the state in the triple jump, we have guys who can get behind the defense,” Benson said. “Last year, we didn’t really have that kind of speed. We had guys who could go up and get it, but not guys who could run by people.”

The offense’s success was encouraging after the team lost several excellent running backs to graduation, such as J.J. Elisis and Evan Durand. Last year’s starting quarterback, Greg Handerson, transferred to Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson shortly after the season ended.

“We played well, especially the offense,” Benson said.

The Chargers defense also was effective despite the absence of several injured starters, Benson said.

“We knew that this would be an opportunity to see some of our younger guys, and for the most part they did a pretty good job,” Benson said. “They were flying around.”

Rising sophomore linebacker Cruz Marero turned in a solid performance, said Benson, as did defensive lineman Jesse Cene-Charles.

The secondary looked good, Benson said, with varsity veterans Dario Bennett and Demetrius Taylor leading the way.

“Demetrius plays on both sides of the ball. He’s one of those guys that we look to to handle a lot of different things,” Benson said.

Lineman Akia Farruya kicked three PATs.

The Chargers will spend the next few weeks working out, getting a little faster and a little stronger, Benson said.

“I think we got everything accomplished that we wanted to. We’re definitely a little ahead of where I expected us to be,” Benson said. “The one thing I see is that we have to be a little more physical up front. It should make for a fun summer.”

The Chargers will compete in a county 7-on-7 league as well, Benson said.

Liberty joins Osceola, St. Cloud, Gateway, Harmony and Celebration in 7A District 6 next season.

The Kickoff Classic is at Satellite Aug. 26.

Liberty will open the regular season at home against Haines City Sept. 2 and then have an open date before a four-week run of away games at Bishop Moore, Harmony, University and Gateway. Freedom visits Oct. 14.