By Rick Pedone
Sports Editor

With a week off to digest losses in the Kickoff Classic and the regular season opener, it won’t take Liberty’s football team long to discover the common thread in those defeats: turnovers.

The Chargers, 0-1, led Haines City, 28-20, in the fourth quarter last week before the Hornets returned a fumble and an interception for touchdowns during a come-from-behind 38-28 win.

At Satellite two weeks ago for the Kickoff Classic, two Liberty turnovers erased an early 12-0 lead.

“We’ve got to be tougher mentally and learn to focus on ball security,” Chargers Coach David Benson said.

The Chargers have an open date Friday before beginning a four-game road trip at Bishop Moore Sept. 16.

Benson doesn’t have to tinker too much with Liberty’s offense. The Chargers surpassed 400 total yards last week and sophomore quarterback Terrell Bonds set a school record with 331 yards passing and two touchdowns.

Running back Jalen Benn scored and rushed for over 80 yards.

But, the Chargers had four turnovers.

“The kids know that we beat ourselves,” Benson said. “I give Haines City all the credit. They are a typical Polk County team, they play tough. But our guys know we should have won the game. It’s disappointing in that you want to defend your home turf, especially in the opening game, but our job now is to learn from this and get better.”