Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

Liberty High 

Head coach: James Harris (2^nd season, 3-6)

Assistant coaches: Scott Chandler, Mitchell Wieland, Matthew Eckhardt, Charles Benda, Evan Downes, Nathan Oswald, Landan Paulsen, Ryan Reighard, Isiah Stevens, Keenan Davis, Evan Hartman

Last season: 3-6

Returning starters: Christian Barney, Sr., LB/TE; Wyatt Williams, Sr., S/WR; Amari Thigpen, Sr., CB/WR; Carter Webb, Sr., OL; Will Quast-Villanfana, Jr., OL; Zach Gallagher, Sr., C; Dantrell Skinner, Jr., DL; Hayden Saul, Sr., P

Other returning letterwinners: Ethan Neels, Sr., LB/TE; Trey Gregoire, Sr., LB/RB; Garrett Gregoire, Sr., DB/WR; Lucas Meyer, Sr., WR; Ben O’Connor, Sr., DB/WR; Mason Gardner, Sr., DL

Newcomers to watch: Graham Beckman, Jr., QB; Cody Nichols, Jr., DB/QB; Devin Anderson, Jr., LB; Owen Drapeaux, Soph., LB/RB; Dallas Miller, Soph., DB/WR

Playoff history: 2 appearances (2019, 2020)

District: Class 4A, District 3

District favorite: North Scott lost a lot to graduation from a team that went 9-1 including a perfect 5-0 in District 4 play last fall but until remains the favorite after outscoring district opponents by a combined total of 194-7 last season.

Circle the date: September 23 vs. North Scott. Liberty High hung with North Scott last season falling 21-0 and could take a huge step toward reaching the postseason with a win over the Lancers in the district opener.

Headliner: Senior Christian Barney is an impact player on both sides of the ball. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Barney ranked in the top three on the team in receptions (15), receiving yards (290) touchdowns (3) and yards per reception (19.3) as a tight end and as a linebacker ranked in the top three in total tackles (57.5), solo tackles (28), tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (2.5).

Unsung hero: Senior center Zach Gallagher will be a key for the Liberty High offensive line this season after earning all-district honors a year ago. Gallagher (6-0, 235) headlines a group of three returning starters up front for the Lightning which will be leaned on early in the season as Liberty High breaks in a new quarterback and running back.

Keep an eye on: Junior Graham Beckman (6-2, 190) takes over at quarterback after completing 13-of-15 passes for 184 yards in backup duty last season. A starter on the Liberty High basketball team as a sophomore, Beckman is an excellent athlete that should provide a dual threat element to the Liberty High offense.

Biggest question: How will the Lightning navigate a challenging schedule to open the season? There is no way around it, the first five games for the Lightning are a handful. The first five Liberty High opponents (City High, Linn-Mar, Western Dubuque, Clear Creek Amana and North Scott) went a combined 36-15 and four reached the playoffs. Last year the Lightning went 0-5 in that stretch, with consecutive losses by 10, 11 and 1 point and despite winning three of four to finish the season missed the playoffs. A strong start against that tough schedule would be a big boost heading into October.

Quotable: “We have good kids that love football,” James Harris said. “Our seniors that we have out just love football. We have guys running routes in the morning, running routes at night they just want to be at practice and they love football.”

2022 Schedule

August 26: at City High

September 2: Linn-Mar

September 9: at Western Dubuque

September 16: at Clear Creek Amana

September 23: North Scott*

September 30: at Mount Pleasant*

October 7: Fort Madison*

October 14: at Burlington*

October 21: Clinton*

*– District Game

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