Olentangy Liberty football team overcomes obstacles to make playoff run

The Olentangy Liberty football team played its final game of the season Nov. 18, a 35-7 loss to Springfield in the Division I, Region 2 final at London.

On Nov. 19, five of those Patriots — senior Charlie Hughes, sophomore Andrew Leonard, senior Carson Reynolds, junior Wilson Roberts and sophomore Jake Struck — were on the ice for the hockey team’s season-opening 5-1 win over Olentangy Berlin.

“I just love playing,” said Leonard, who was 233-for-378 passing for 2,596 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions at quarterback. “I didn’t want to miss anything with the (hockey) team.”

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The loss to the second-seeded Wildcats ended a playoff run that looked unlikely after a 0-3 start. Liberty — which was seeded eighth and finished 8-6 overall — defeated ninth-seeded Toledo Whitmer 20-7 in the first round Oct. 28 before upset victories over top-seeded Dublin Jerome (28-14 on Nov. 4) and fourth-seeded Perrysburg (14-3 on Nov. 11).

All 10 of the Patriots’ regular-season opponents made the playoffs, and six of the first seven hosted an opening-round game.

Liberty was outscored 107-35 in losses to Pickerington Central (Aug. 19), Cleveland Glenville (Aug. 26) and Cincinnati St. Xavier (Sept. 2) in its first three games.

Central was seeded fourth in Division I, Region 3, while Glenville was the top seed in Division IV, Region 14 and defeated Cincinnati Wyoming 26-6 in the state championship game Dec. 3.

“Every time you go against a quality opponent, things are going to have to go well for you to be successful,” coach Steve Hale said. “Down the stretch, we did a better job of that than what we did earlier. The senior class did a really good job of embracing the work ethic and the commitment that was needed to be successful. I’m just really happy that, in that playoff run, it paid off for them.”

Wins over Berlin (21-17 on Sept. 9), New Albany (27-0 on Sept. 16) and Upper Arlington (28-27 in overtime Sept. 30) showed that the Patriots were starting to find their footing. Berlin was seeded fifth in Region 2 and New Albany was seeded third and UA second in Region 3.

“We improved a lot,” Leonard said. “I’d say the New Albany and the Berlin games, it really started to click. The speed of the game with those first three teams was different. It just prepared me for the other teams we played.”

One of the young players at key positions who grew into their roles was Struck, a running back who rushed for 773 yards and seven touchdowns on 177 carries.

Struck missed the first three playoff games with an injury before returning against Springfield. In his place was another sophomore in Ryan Schapker, who finished with 79 carries for 285 yards and two touchdowns after carrying just 20 times for 74 yards and no touchdowns during the regular season.

Liberty loses its top receiver in senior Alex Okuley (69 catches, 941 yards, 9 TDs), but expects to return Roberts (47 catches, 464 yards, 3 TDs) and junior Evan Nelson (53 catches, 600 yards, 6 TDs). Juniors Deacon Billy and Alex Conley should be back on the offensive line.

Defensively, junior Jacob Biros (40.5 tackles) and sophomore Bailey Byrd (42 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) became key players on a line that also included senior Luke Fleet (44.5 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 defensive TD).

“Starting off was a little rough,” Biros said. “We hadn’t played together, so I think that was a part of it. (The Whitmer game) gave me more confidence to keep going and (keep) trying my hardest. I think the defense got much better at knowing where we want to go, how we want to play and what we’re playing for.”

The Patriots had a new defensive coordinator in John Sansbury. He replaced Ed Miley, who is now coaching Westerville Central.

Liberty will have to replace its top six tacklers in linebackers Jack Kendall (93.5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss), Gabe Pence (89.5 tackles, 14 tackles for loss), Bryce Byrd (76.5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss) and Zach Austin (70 tackles, 2 interceptions) and defensive backs Nathan Maag (76 tackles, 6 pass breakups) and Blake Hajjar (75.5 tackles).

“All year, (our seniors have) done a really good job of buying in and doing things that weren’t easy,” Hale said. “But they’re the things that make you successful."

mrich@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekRich

LIBERTY FOOTBALL 

•Record: 8-6 overall

•OCC-Central standings: Upper Arlington (4-1), Dublin Coffman (4-1), Liberty (3-2), Hilliard Davidson (2-3), Hilliard Bradley (1-4), Olentangy Orange (1-4)

•Seniors lost: Connor Anderson, Zach Austin, Jake Barcus, Nick Bradley, Jonah Brinkman, Austin Bulina, Bryce Byrd, Luke Ceddia, Jacob Chapman, Zachary Dyser, Luke Fleet, Blake Hajjar, Chase Hudson, Charlie Hughes, Brady Karam, Jack Kendall, Mason Lambert, Nathan Maag, Troy Mrukowski, Wesley Noeth, Alex Okuley, Gabe Pence, Carson Reynolds, Jake Russell, Seth Rush, Nico Sciulli, Domenic Tempesta, Max Tinsley and Blake Voorhees

•Key returnees: Bliss Archibald, Deacon Billy, Jacob Biros, Bailey Byrd, Cameron Cole, Alex Conley, Evan Nelson, Andrew Leonard, Wilson Roberts, Ryan Schapker and Jake Struck

•Postseason: Def. Toledo Whitmer 20-7; def. Dublin Jerome 28-14; def. Perrysburg 14-3; lost to Springfield 35-7 in Division I, Region 2 final

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Olentangy Liberty football overcomes obstacles to make playoff run