In case everybody is focused on the three big Chandler high school football teams, there's another one in Peoria that still plays with swagger and confidence. The Liberty Lions believe they can get bac to the Open Division championship game or at least be in the converation.
After the way the Lions handled host Mesa in a 58-18 rout on Friday, Aug. 28, they will be hard to ignore, even with Basha, Chandler and Hamilton all are ranked in the top 25 nationally.
"These guys have worked hard, and exctied to earn their chance to be part of Liberty," coach Colin Thomas said.
Many of the names are different from the teams that won back-to-back Open titles in 2023 and '24, and the one that last year lost its only in-state game to Basha in the Open semifinals.
But it doesn't matter. The new guys stepped in, ready to take over where the others left off.
They swarm to the ball on defense. They create turnovers. They tackle with abandon. And they're explosive on offense.
Thomas had to make the difficult decision on who to start at quarterback with senior Kenny Raymond and sophomore Jason Haines battling it out all summer.
Thomas gave the keys to the offense to the sophomore, who immeditately got into rhythm, completing his first six passes, including two touchdowns in Liberty's first two series.
"I was ready to go," Haines said. "Once I got out there, I knew it was my turn to take over."
Thomas still found ways to utilize Raymond's athleticism. He moved him around on offense, including using him at quarterback at times.
After Liberty scored its second touchdown, Thomas had his team go for two points. Raymond moved in at quarterback and lofted a perfect pass to convert the two points for a 15-0 lead.
The Lions were off and running.
"We got a long way to go, but if you work for four years like our guys do, and it's your time to come, you take it very seriously," Thomas said. "And they stepped up."
Thomas said both Haines and Raymond are "weapons." He didn't have to show the entire offense, but the packages were spot on, carving up Mesa's defense.
Haines completed 10 of 12 passes for 182 yards and two TDs in a 24-6 first half. Mesa, behind quarterback Kane Anetema and his wide receiver brother Kingston, looked like it was going to make a game out of it, cutting the score to 15-6.
But an excessive celebration in the end zone by a receiver gave Liberty a short field on the ensuing kickoff, and, whatever momentum Mesa gained, was lost when Carter Rothe returned it 65 yards for a Liberty touchdown.
Liberty's defensive front got after Kane Anetema in the second half, forcing a fumble that Liberty recovered at the Mesa 1. A play later, Jayden Sanchez was in the end zone for a 31-6 lead.
Haines threw a 14-yard TD pass to tight end Jayden Sellers, then fired a 78-yard scoring pass to Rothe.
Later, Raymond, at quarterback, ran 35 yards for a touchdown with 9:50 to play, turning the game into a running clock with a 51-12 lead.
"Both are really good, different style of quarterbacks," senior wide receiver Braxton Huynh said. "Jason is a young guy and he's dialing. We left a lot of stuff on the table. He could even be better. Kenny shot up late in the year and he's going to do well."
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Liberty football makes big statement in blowout win over Mesa
