Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Liberty High

Head coach: James Harris (1^st season)

Assistant coaches: Matt Hughes, Scott Chandler, Ronnie Hughes, Chuck Benda, Joe Williams, Eric Thigpen, Landan Paulsen, Mitch Wieland, Jeremy Mims, Evan Downes, Matthew Eckhardt, Nathan Oswald, Casey Maxted

Last season: 2-3 (Class 4A opening round)

Returning starters: Griffin Kraft, Sr., LB; Darius Willis-Newell, Sr., RB/LB; Max Beckman, Sr., C; Emerson Bennett, Sr., K; Luke Meyers, Sr., DB; Jacob Adam, Sr., LB/RB; James McKinney, Sr., WR; Tye Hughes, Jr., QB.

Other returning letterwinners: Anthony Peoples, Jr., DL; Caden Yoerger, Sr., DL; Peyton Kurtz, Sr., OL; Gage Gingerich, Sr., LB

Newcomers to watch: Ja’Quez Hall, Sr., WR; Jaxyn Logan, Sr., DL/P; Carter Webb, Jr., OL; Zach Gallagher, Jr., OL; Christian Barney, Jr., LB; Wyatt Williams, Jr., CB/WR; Amari Thigpen, Jr., WR/CB; Ethan Neels, Jr., DL; Garrett Gregoire, Jr. WR; Trey Gregoire, Jr. WR; Ben O’Connor, Jr. WR

Playoff history: 2 appearances (2019, 2020)

District: Class 4A, District 3

District favorite: North Scott. The Lancers wone eight consecutive games to end last season blasting Harlan 30-6 in the Class 3A state title game to claim the first title in program history.

Circle the date: September 24 at North Scott. Want to see where you stack up entering district play? What better way than a road trip to the defending state champion in the district opener which is the opportunity the Lightning have against defending 3A champ North Scott.

Headliner: Senior linebacker Griffin Kraft (6-3, 197) returns after leading the Lightning in tackles in his first varsity season. Kraft had 50.5 tackles, including 36 solo stops and five tackles for loss, in just five games in his varsity debut a year ago.

Unsung hero: Senior James McKinney (6-1, 186) has played all over the field the past few seasons but is ready for a breakthrough as a senior after finding a home at receiver. One of the top athletes on the roster McKinney has the potential to be a big-time playmaker for the Lightning.

Keep an eye on: Already a two-year starter on defense, senior Darius Willis-Newell (5-8, 170) has racked up 81.5 tackles the past two seasons but will have the biggest offensive role of his career this fall after rushing for a team-high 234 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Biggest question: What will the Lightning look like under first-year head coach James Harris? Harris became just the second coach in program history when he replaced Jeff Gordon in the offseason. With only one previous head coach the question remains what will the Lightning look like? On offense, Harris has been pleased with the progress of junior quarterback Tye Hughes who took over late last season and showed promise. Defensively, is where the Lightning are poised to make a huge leap immediately under Harris who has a history as a defensive coach.

Quotable: “Last year it showed us a lot about how to lead,” McKinney said. “We have to talk on the field and we always have to show the right thing on the field also. We have to make sure the guys look up to us and make sure we are on the right path.”

2021 Schedule

August 27: City High

September 3: at Linn-Mar

September 10: Western Dubuque

September 17: Clear Creek Amana

September 24: at North Scott*

October 1: Mount Pleasant*

October 8: at Fort Madison*

October 15: Burlington*

October 22: at Clinton*

*– District Game

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