WOODROW — Mike Leach's words are still shaping the football world.
Shortly after his team's 56-25 win over Midland Greenwood on Friday, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty coach Joe Sexton said one of the Pirate's philosophies applied quite well to the Patriots. The game marked Liberty's third scoring at least 44 points.
"I think we executed almost as good as we have all year long," Sexton said. "Mike Leach used to talk about (how) balanced football is not 50/50 run-pass, it's getting all your guys involved."
The Patriots followed that to a T. Four different players reached the end zone in the first half. Liberty scored touchdowns on all five of its possessions and led 42-8 at halftime.
"That first drive, I think coach (Barry) Newton got every one of our offensive
weapons the ball, and that was impressive," Sexton said. "I was really excited to see all those guys get touches. It just shows everybody that there's not just one guy, (or) a couple guys, that they need to stop."
It helps having Cy Leach at the controls. The junior took over as starting quarterback this season and is well aware of the playmakers at his disposal. Leach completed 13 of 13 passes for 242 yards and two TDs against Greenwood, which bested the Patriots each of the past two years.
"He makes the best reads," Sexton said. "He sees the whole field. He knows where to go with the ball, and he's not ever going to put himself in a bad situation."
Leach said he learned a lot last season while backing up Colton Bichard, the Avalanche-Journal's 2025 big-school football player of the year. Leach added that he's getting more comfortable with each week.
"From that first game to now, I can just tell such a difference in my comfortability out there," Leach said. "The first couple games, it took me a couple drives to settle in. That (Greenwood) game, I was settled in from the start."
Just as important as receivers like Pierce Fioroni (six catches, 140 yards, TD) and Koleman Hendrix (4-68, TD), a veteran offensive line drives the whole thing. The group has been so good; senior Hudson Hefner was upset that they gave up one sack on Friday. Sexton said it's the first time Leach's "been touched in a while."
The big guys also paved the way for 202 rushing yards. Talon Wilcox led the team with 80 yards and three TDs. What's worrisome for Liberty opponents is that running back Kaiden Joseph hasn't made his 2026 debut. Sexton said earlier in the week that Joseph is nearing his return from injury after rushing for 1,052 yards and 16 TDs last year.
Joseph will add to an offense that has contributed to the Patriots' No. 6 ranking in Class 4A Division II. Liberty (3-0) has a lot of eyes on it entering a matchup at 4A D-I No. 9 Canyon West Plains in Week 4. The Wolves (2-1) pose another test, but there's one thing Sexton won't have to worry about: the Patriots getting complacent.
"Coming off that big win against Frenship last week, that was one of the things that I wanted to see," Sexton said, "whether we were drinking the Kool-Aid, or whether we were gonna play some football. I think we did pretty well."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock-Cooper Liberty football leans into Mike Leach principle
