The voice that speaks to all Patriots

It is the distinct sound that rings throughout the Renton highlands on fall Friday nights.  It stands for a unified body of young men who battle relentlessly on the hallowed ground of J. Robert White stadium. It is the voice without the face.

He speaks with passion about the boys of fall. Every word is carefully articulated and calculated with respective emotion. His level of caring for our school and for our football team resounds throughout  the home stands of Liberty High School. 

I cannot imagine a home football game without the sound of his voice commenting on the execution of plays by our cardiac kids.

His love for Liberty extends beyond the voice of the press box. His daughter, (Mrs. Munson) brought the idea of having him announce the Homecoming Royalty at this assembly. It is without a doubt that his voice did not go unnoticed and was loved by every Patriot attending. 

For many of us, the athletics at Liberty give us hope. The impossible is over come by many of our sports team. The football team is just one example of this. His voice, his passion, and his dedication to being the voice of the Patriots adds to the emotional response that so many of us experience on Friday nights at Liberty High School.

As a senior, I will miss the personality that comes from above on those sacred nights in the Renton Highlands.

Dan Braillard, thank you for all you do.

GO PATRIOTS! WE ARE ONE!!

The Fans in the Stands

To most, the highlights of Liberty football games include long-bomb passes, knockout hits, and late-4^th-quarter come-from-behind wins. However, while everyone appreciates all the athletic wonders taking place on the field, the role of those in the stands is often forgotten. Everyone at Liberty, especially the football players themselves, should be more thankful to the fans that come to support them, despite the obstacles.

While the players mentally prepare themselves for the game, the fans too must make important preparations; to ensure that they are heavily clothed enough to combat the rain and wind, yet still scantily clothed enough to draw the desired attention. This is but the first obstacle of the LHS football fan. Once they reach the game, the fans are forced to stand for two and a half hours, the band blaring in their ear, squeezed claustrophobically between hundreds of their peers, including that one creepy guy who always seems to inch closer whenever he has the chance. Simply going to the bathroom or to purchase over-priced concessions is a tribulation: weaving one’s way out of the heaving mass is virtually impossible, and retaining one’s spot upon return is doubly so. When the game is over, they leave, either exuberant or despondent depending on the final result, but always exhausted, and pestered by the post-game analysis from some self-proclaimed Liberty sports charlatan. They get in their hopefully un-vandalized cars and drive home proud of their accomplishment. We need to better recognize the sacrifice and contribution of Liberty football fans; they are the true heroes on game day. 

To most, the highlights of Liberty football games include long-bomb passes, knockout hits, and late-4^th-quarter come-from-behind wins. However, while everyone appreciates all the athletic wonders taking place on the field, the role of those in the stands is often forgotten. Everyone at Liberty, especially the football players themselves, should be more thankful to the fans that come to support them, despite the obstacles.

While the players mentally prepare themselves for the game, the fans too must make important preparations; to ensure that they are heavily clothed enough to combat the rain and wind, yet still scantily clothed enough to draw the desired attention. This is but the first obstacle of the LHS football fan. Once they reach the game, the fans are forced to stand for two and a half hours, the band blaring in their ear, squeezed claustrophobically between hundreds of their peers, including that one creepy guy who always seems to inch closer whenever he has the chance. Simply going to the bathroom or to purchase over-priced concessions is a tribulation: weaving one’s way out of the heaving mass is virtually impossible, and retaining one’s spot upon return is doubly so. When the game is over, they leave, either exuberant or despondent depending on the final result, but always exhausted, and pestered by the post-game analysis from some self-proclaimed Liberty sports charlatan. They get in their hopefully un-vandalized cars and drive home proud of their accomplishment. We need to better recognize the sacrifice and contribution of Liberty football fans; they are the true heroes on game day.

Patriots top Lancers in preliminary round of 3A playoffs

On a rainy Friday night at Highline Stadium in Burien, the Liberty Patriots easily took care of the Kennedy Catholic Lancers, by a score of 41-6.

The rain appeared to have an effect on the Patriots early, as a couple of fumbles prevented them from scoring on their first few drives. The Patriots lit up the scoreboard first on a 77-yard touchdown run by junior Hamilton Noel. After a failed PAT, the score stood at 6-0 Patriots at the end of the first quarter.

A 17-yard run by senior Chandler Jenkins would start the second-quarter scoring. The Lancers then chipped away at the Patriots 13-0 lead with a 3-yard touchdown hookup between Jason Thompson and Chris Grandberry. The Lancers also had a failed PAT and the score stood at 13-6 Patriots. Another touchdown by Jenkins, this one coming from one yard out, would give the Patriots a 21-6 lead going into halftime.

The lone scoring during the third quarter would come on a 60-yard completion from senior quarterback Trey Wheeler to junior receiver Josh Gordon. The Patriots would take a commanding 27-6 lead into the fourth quarter.

The momentum just kept drifting the Patriots way. A three-yard Jenkins touchdown run followed by an end-around 5-yard touchdown run by Gordon would cap off the night’s scoring. Many reserves got playing time near the end of the game , when the Patriots’ 41-6 victory was well in hand.

Next Friday at 7:00 the Patriots take on the Mount Si Wildcats at Mount Si High School. The Wildcats defeated #9 Glacier Peak 21-20 in Overtime this week. The Wildcats and Patriots met in a conference regular season game earlier this year. In the teams’ Week 4 meeting at Liberty Stadium, the Patriots came away with a 38-22 victory.

Wolverines nip Patriots 23-20 in regular season finale

The story lines were the same, many of the players were the same, and to the chagrin of the Liberty fans the outcome was the same as these teams’ two meetings last year. The #1 ranked Wolverines of Bellevue toppled the  Patriots once again, this time by a score of 23-20 in front of a packed Liberty Stadium.

The game started off as a defensive struggle. Neither team was able to score in the first quarter, as both defenses made big stands to prevent the offenses from getting into scoring position.

The second quarter started with a bang as senior Chandler Jenkins broke through the Bellevue defense for a 52-yard touchdown run to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead. After a Bellevue fumble the Patriots scored just a minute later on a run of 36 yards by junior Hamilton Noel.

The Wolverines began chipping away at Liberty’s  14-0 lead. On an option read, Bellevue quarterback Kendrick Van Ackeren kept the ball and ran it in for a touchdown from 46 yards out. Field goals by Bellevue’s Mitch Johnson from 35 and 43 yards out would cut the Patriots’ lead to 14-13 as the teams headed in for halftime.

Bellevue got on the board first in the third quarter. A one yard plunge by Wolverine Latrelle Dukes put Bellevue ahead 20-14 following the extra point. The Patriots countered with a scoring drive of their own, culminating with a tough 5-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Trey Wheeler. A failed PAT left the score at 20-20 at the end of the third quarter.

Bellevue took the lead in the fourth quarter on a 23-yard Johnson field goal. The Patriots took the ball for the final time with three and a half minutes remaining, trailing by three points.

Their drive marched into Wolverine territory. An attempted pass to junior Josh Gordon on the left end zone sideline floated wide. Wheeler was then forced out of bounds for a loss of a couple yards. On 4th down, with the Patriots needing about 12 yards to convert, Wheeler was pressured and lofted up a ball to the back of the endzone. Chandler Jenkins was unable to come up with the pass which floated just out of his reach.

Following the turnover on downs, the Wolverines were able to kill the clock and taste another satisfying road victory at the hands of the Patriots.

The Patriots who finish the season at 6-3 (5-2 in conference) begin their playoff quest this week with a game against against the Kennedy Lancers. The Lancers (7-1, 6-0 in conference) were regular season Seamount conference champs. Two years ago these teams met in the playoffs and Liberty came back for a 21-17 victory.

Spirit DOES matter, and here is the proof

Sure, the Harry Potter Club Sorting feast was that Friday. And I understand that Halloween is coming up, so haunted houses, Paranormal Activity 2, and Saw 3D are tempting attractions. Those things aside however, Liberty’s away game at Interlake should have attracted far more Patriot fans than it did, and the team suffered as a result.

The game was supposed to be a shutout. We went into it with that sense of confidence and took an early lead, as expected. But as the game progressed, tensions started running high, and the student section’s lack of moral support had an immediately apparent impact: Interlake got on the board thanks to a touchdown run by a sophomore.

Two more touchdowns followed, and after a questionable call on the one-yard line, Interlake was on a roll. The final score was 41-28 Patriots, but it should have been 41-0.

I never used to be a big believer in the impact that spirit can have on a game, but last Friday I saw it with my own eyes. There is a direct correlation between the collective energy of the student section and the performance of our Patriot football players. Not to belittle the work they do on the field, but our support is a key factor to their success. It was impossible not to note its absence last Friday.

Attendance was abysmal at that game, and our performance took a blow because of it. Here’s to hoping that we don’t make the same mistake against Bellevue this Friday.

Patriots’ strong start too much for Interlake

Last Friday night, the Patriots jumped out to a  27-0 lead over the Interlake Saints midway through the second quarter and then held on for a 41-28 victory.

Liberty had a 14-0 lead following the first quarter. Their scores came courtesy of a three-yard touchdown run by senior Chandler Jenkins and a 14-yard touchdown strike from senior Trey Wheeler to junior Connor Hudson.

The Second quarter played out much like the first. A 32-yard dash by Jenkins, followed by a failed PAT gave Liberty a 20-0 lead. Jenkins then busted through on a long, 96-yard touchdown run, increasing the lead to 27-0. A 23-yard pass from the Saints’ Matt Malos to Kamana Adriano got Interlake on to the board and made the game 27-7 at halftime.

Interlake showed fight, however,  responding with two third quarter touchdowns. One of them coming on a five-yard pass from Malos to Dominic Jackson. A four yard plunge by junior Hamilton Noel gave the Patriots a 34-21 lead entering the final quarter.

The dagger for Liberty came on a 67-yard touchdown run by Noel in the fourth quarter. This put the Patriots up 41-21, and all but cemented the game. A three-yard Adriano touchdown run would pull the Saints to within thirteen, but that’s as close as the score would get.

The Patriots (6-2, 5-1 in conference) hope to carry momentum from their 41-28 victory into next week’s highly anticipated game against the defending 3A State Champion Bellevue Wolverines (7-1, 6-0 in conference).

Patriots power towards state

“Having felt the burn of a championship loss in last year’s finale, it has made us stronger as a unit and we now know what it takes to be champions.” junior receiver Josh Gordon said.

The Patriots road to glory is paved with tough 3A KingCo opponents such as Bellevue.

“We need to bring our A-game to be successful…we stand a very good chance” senior quarterback Trey Wheeler said.

In addition to the touted “Big Three” of Wheeler, senior Chandler Jenkins, and senior Jake Bainton, the Patriots have gotten large contributions from their offensive and defensive lines.

The Patriots strong linemen play and defensive dominance were both on display in their most recent game, a 63-7 victory over Lake Washington. The war in the trenches was won by the Patriots, and the defense was not only able to hold Lake Washington to a single late touchdown, but scored themselves; Bainton on an intereception and junior Jalen Robinson on a fumble recovery.

After a close Issaquah loss and a hard fought loss on the road to Juanita, the Patriots know the margin for error is minimal and try to bring their best effort every week for a playoff push.

The team’s motto this year is “finish”, and the team hopes to come together behind that mantra. They Patriots want to not only close every game strong, but ultimately “finish” the season in the Tacoma Dome with the State championship victory from which they were win away last season.

Patriots overpower Mount Si Wildcats 38-22

In a game between two of this season’s expected KingCo 3A favorites, the Patriots claimed victory over the Wildcats of Mount Si 38-22.

The game started out inauspiciously for the Patriots as an errant snap flew over senior quarterback Trey Wheeler’s head and out of the end zone for a safety, giving the Wildcats an early 2-0 lead. The Patriots would first get on the board with a 19-yard field goal by junior Trevor Merritt. The first touchdown of the game was scored on a 37 yard pass from Wheeler to senior Jake Bainton who was returning after missing the last couple of games due to injury. The first quarter ended with the Patriots holding a 10-2 lead.

Wheeler and Bainton hooked up again in the second quarter, this time on a 33-yard strike where Bainton ran through a few of would-be tacklers from Mount Si on his way to the end zone. A 13-yard touchdown scamper by Wheeler and a 3-yard run by Chandler Jenkins then gave the Patriots a commanding 31-2 halftime lead.

After a halftime combined performance by the Liberty High School and Maywood Middle School marching bands, the Patriots and Wildcats emerged for the second half.

Ian IIgenfritz of the Wildcats started the scoring in the second half with a 3-yard touchdown run. The Wildcats went for two but were stopped, making the score 31-8. The Patriots claimed momentum back and all but sealed the game with a 96-yard touchdown run by Jenkins.

An 89-yard touchdown pass from Ilgenfritz to Trent Riley, and then another touchdown run by Ilgenfritz of 13 yards in the fourth quarter made the final score 38-22.

The #2 ranked Patriots (3-1, 2-0 in conference) face a tough test Friday when they visit the #8 ranked Juanita Rebels (4-0,2-0 in conference).

Football sprints past Sammamish

A rainy forecast did not prevent the Liberty fans from coming out in droves to see the #2 ranked Patriots easily take down the Totems of Sammamish High School 52-7.

The Totems opened the game with their lone touchdown, a 53-yard touchdown run by Austin Lee.

It was all Liberty from that point on. Senior running back Chandler Jenkins made a 65-yard touchdown  run and a 30-yard touchdown run to give the Patriots a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The scoring barrage continued in the second quarter as Jenkins ran for a 7-yard touchdown. Then, senior quarterback Trey Wheeler scored on a 13-yard run of his own. Jenkins then punched in another score on a 41-yard touchdown run. Junior Trevor Merritt added a 33-yard field goal, giving the Patriots a commanding 38-7  halftime lead.

The third quarter was more of the same as Jenkins added to his impressive day with a fifth touchdown, this one coming on a 41-yard reception from Wheeler. A 24-yard fourth quarter touchdown run by junior Hamilton Noel would cap off the scoring, giving the Patriots an impressive 52-7 victory.

The Patriots (2-1, 1-0 in conference) hope to carry momentum from this week’s win into next week when they face a tough test at home against Mount Si (2-1, 1-0 in conference).

Patriots fall to Issaquah Eagles in double overtime

In a game filled with dramatic twists, the Eagles from Issaquah High School edged out the Patriots 27-21 in a double overtime last Friday.

It was a sluggish start for both teams as the first quarter came to a close with only seven total points courtesy of a two- yard run by Issaquah quarterback Ethan Kalin. The Patriots evened the score with Chandler Jenkins’ 35 yard interception return for a touchdown, Jenkins’ second interception of the game.

After a touching tribute at halftime to the football team of ’88 and their All-State running back, the late Aaron Armstrong, the two teams emerged from their locker rooms ready to start the second half.

Issaquah took the lead once again on an 11 yard pass from Kalin to Evan Peterson. The Eagles would hold this 14-7 lead until just a few minutes left in the game. A botched snap on a short field goal attempt by the Eagles gave Liberty the ball with a few remaining minutes. Seeking a miracle, the patriots got it as quarterback Trey Wheeler avoided 3 Eagles defenders before throwing a 56 yard game tying touchdown pass to sophomore Tynan Gilmore.

The game went in to overtime where Liberty had the ball first. The Patriots would score on a 17 yard pass from Wheeler to sophomore Scott Dean. The eagles would counter in their overitme possession with a touchdown of their own on a 25 yard pass from Kalin to Taylor Wayman. Wayman who is also the team’s kicker, would miss the extra point, so Issaquah had a 27-21 lead.

The Patriots picked up two first downs in their possession, getting to a short “First and Goal” situation where a touchdown and an extra point would earn them the victory. Then on a run around the edge, Chandler Jenkins ploughed his way into the Issaquah defensive line. At this point, Jenkins fumbled and Issaquah recovered, stopping the Patriots drive and giving the Eagles the hard-fought 27-21 victory.

The Patriots hope to recover from their close loss in an away game this friday versus the Sammamish Totems.

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