Football Capsules: Taking a Quick Look at Liberty High
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
Liberty High
Head coach: Scott Chandler (2nd season, 10-2)
Assistant coaches: Mitch Wieland, Chuck Benda; Tony Burrier; Keenan Davis; Kaleb Williams; Nate Wieland; Brad Beane; Garrett Rettig; Isiah Stevens; Evan Downes; Matt Eckhardt; Evan Hartman; Nick Dolezal; Aaron Blom; Nate Oswald; Ray Boyum; Seth Schroeder; James Piper
Last season: 10-2 (Class 5A semifinals)
Returning starters: Reece Rettig, Sr., QB; Jaryn Sertterh, Sr., OL; Jordan Schroeder, Sr., WR; Jackson Williams, Sr., DL; Jacob Avgenackis, Sr., DL; Landon Bell, Sr., TE/DL; Logan Laubenthal, Sr.,’ DB; Pryor Reiners, Jr., DB
Other returning letterwinners: Hank Thompson, Jr., TE/DL; Adrian Clerry, Jr., WR/DB; Quayson Harrington-Johnson, Sr., DL; Collin Weis, Sr., K; Finn O’Toole, Sr., K; Brady Beaver, JR, RB; Will Frey, Sr., LB
Newcomers to watch: Cash Hennings, Jr., DL; Jacob Karstens, Jr., DL; Leo Rozz, Jr., WR/DB; Cooper Lester, Soph., UTIL
Playoff history: 4 appearances (2019, 2020, 2022, 2024)
Circle the date: September 5 at Southeast Polk. Among the most anticipated games in the state this season Liberty High travels to Southeast Polk in week two for a rematch of last year’s 4A semifinal matchup won 38-35 by the Rams.
Headliner: Senior quarterback Reece Rettig (5-10, 175) emerged as one of the best in the state last fall with a breakthrough season in which he accounted for better than 3,200 total yards and 39 touchdowns. Rettig passed for 2,719 yards and 32 touchdowns, rushed for 482 yards and six scores and caught a touchdown pass.
Ready for a breakthrough: If you are looking for a Lightning player to take a big step forward this season look no further than junior defensive back Pryor Reiners (5-11, 175) who impressed in his first season of varsity action last fall. Reiners had 31 tackles and three interceptions a year ago and should be even better with a year of experience and some added size on his frame.
Unsung hero: Offensive players like Rettig and his receiving corps get a lot of the headlines but the growth of the Liberty High offensive line was a big reason for the Lightning’s success last season. Senior Jaryn Sertterh (6-0, 245) was a key part of that offensive front five last season earning all-district honors and returns to anchor the Liberty High offensive line.
Keep an eye on: Whether you are a fan or an opposing quarterback it’s probably a good idea to keep an eye on Liberty High senior defensive back Logan Laubenthal (5-11, 170) at all times. Laubenthal showed a knack for making big plays in big moments last season earning Class 5A all-state honors after making 33.5 tackles and sharing the team lead with four interceptions.
Remember the name: Another key piece of the Liberty High success last season was two-way standout Landon Bell (6-0, 200) who ranked second on the team in tackles as a linebacker and caught 12 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns as a fullback/tight end on offense. Look for a big season from Bell on both sides of the ball.
Biggest strength: The offense. The return of Rettig at quarterback is the headline but the Lightning simply have it rolling on offense from the play calling and game planning to the execution. Liberty High averaged 40.3 points and 433 total yards per game a year ago and returns five starters from that group led by Rettig who ranks as one of the most productive quarterbacks in the state.
Biggest question: Who steps up around Rettig? There are players in place to fill the roles vacated by a talented group of graduated seniors at the skill positions but the question is who takes the reins at running back and receiver. Liberty High must replace its top two rushers in Owen Drapeaux and Sutton Koller and the pass catching combo of Collin Decker, Dallas Miller and Koller that combined for 2,432 yards and 27 touchdowns. So who steps into those spots?
Quotable: “What we did better last year than we have in the past is run the football and stop the run,” Liberty High coach Scott Chandler said. “Those two things don’t really change at every level if you can run the football and stop the run. Running the football on offense can look different, a bubble is not different than a run to me and on defense being able to stop the run.”
2025 Schedule
Date/Opponent/Record in 2024
August 29: Cedar Falls (5-5)
September 5: at Southeast Polk (9-4)
September 12: Linn-Mar (7-3)
September 19: at Johnston (8-3)
September 26: at West High (6-5)
October 3: Davenport Central (2-7)
October 10: at Pleasant Valley (7-3)
October 17: City High (6-4)
October 24: Muscatine (3-6)
Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating
