Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Liberty High

Head coach: Jeff Gordon (2nd season, 3-6)

Assistant coaches: Clint Feuerbach, Bruce Davis, Austin Pink, Nate Oswald, Jeremey Mimis, Joe Williams, Matt Hughes, Ronnie Hughes, Ben Eseinbach

Last season: 3-6

Returning starters: Jacob Adam, Soph.; Jack Ankenbauer, Sr.; Max Beckman, Soph.; Alec Boldt, Sr.; Carter Fedeler, Sr.; Tate Happel, Sr.; Ben Houselog, Sr.; Ben Kruger, Sr.; Max Lenene, Sr.; Brian Lively, Sr.; Sam Nicklaus, Sr.; Ryan Nugent, Sr.; Drew Snyder, Jr.; Max Taffolla, Jr.; Kelby Telander, Jr.; Cole Tuttle, Sr.; Harrison Voigt, Sr.; Kaleb Williams, Sr.; Drake Woody, Sr.; Dawson Zimmerman, Sr.

Other returning letterwinners: Brody Fishman, Jr.; Evan Swartzendruber, Sr.; Klein Thoensen, Jr.; Damion Wilson, Sr.; Andreas Estrada, Sr.; Ben Campbell, Sr.; Kolton Fangman, Jr.; Greg Mitchell, Sr.

Playoff history: None

District: Class 3A, District 5

District favorites: North Scott enters as the favorite in one of the deepest districts in Class 3A after going unbeaten on its way to the District 5 title last season. The Lancers will have plenty of competition with Clear Creek Amana, Liberty High and Davenport Assumption all pushing for the top spot.

Circle the date: August 30 vs. City High. The Lightning don’t have to wait long to gauge their growth from year one to year two as they open at home against cross-town rival City High, a team that handed Liberty High a 38-21 loss last season.

Headliner: Junior Max Tafolla is a factor on both sides of the ball but does his best work on defense where he made a team-high 76 tackles including 13.5 for loss last season from his inside linebacker spot. The 6-foot, 205-pounder also rushed for 415 yards and four touchdowns last season.

Unsung hero: Senior Carter Fedeler (6-1, 170) didn’t work his way into the lineup until a few games into the season but showed a nose for the football finishing with 35.5 tackles, fifth best on the team.

Keep an eye on: A bigger, stronger Brian Lively (6-2, 200) should be in for a bigger role after packing more than 10 pounds onto his frame during the offseason. Lively caught two passes and had two sacks among 15.5 tackles a year ago.

Biggest question: Is Liberty High ready to contend for the playoffs in year two? It may seem slightly premature for preseason playoff talk to surround a team coming off a three-win season but this isn’t a typical situation. After playing its first varsity season without a senior class Liberty High returns everyone from its team that finished 3-6 in year one. That’s a lot of returning varsity snaps. It won’t be easy in a district as deep as any in Class 3A but Liberty High appears capable of pushing for a playoff spot.

Quotable: “You can’t go back in time and lift weights,” Gordon said. “We can go correct how we are blocking a three-technique or what our read is on a snag route but if we haven’t been working we can’t fix that. That’s what evident is we have some guys that have put on some size and are stronger and hopefully now if we are sound fundamental football players we will see some of that come out on the football field.”

2019 Schedule

Aug. 30: City High

Sept. 6: @Waterloo East

Sept. 13: Washington

Sept. 20: @Mid-Prairie

Sept. 27: Clear Creek Amana*

Oct. 4: @North Scott*

Oct. 11: @Central DeWitt*

Oct. 18: Davenport Assumption*

Oct. 25: Clinton*

*-District Game

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by becoming a member.