Mountain View-Birch Tree Liberty's dynamic duo of quarterback Josh Pruett and wideout Brenton Bush, plus a little help from defensive back Koel Orchard, led the No. 2 state-ranked team in Class 2 past Aurora on Friday night.
The Eagles poured on 35 points before the end of the first half as they were well on their way to a 49-7 turbo-clock romping over the Houn' Dawgs.
"Aurora protected well," said Liberty head coach Darin Acklin, whose defense shutout Aurora after giving up an opening-drive touchdown. "I knew they could throw the ball well. We knew we were going to have to bide our time – try to corral those receivers and wear them down a bit.
"Our kids stuck with the game plan."
Pruett and Bush combined for five touchdowns, including connecting on an 80-yard pass which gave Liberty its first lead of the game with 27.6 seconds left in the first quarter.
"That was perfect blocking," said Pruett. "Perfect double move by Bush. Perfect catch."
The lead was later padded by a pair of touchdown throws to Bush in the second. Orchard finished the half with an exclamation mark for the Eagles, picking off Aurora's quarterback Payton Evans at the goal line and taking it back 100 yards for the pick-six.
"Coach told us to go man-to-man coverage," said Orchard. "I was talking with my corner Brenton Bush, and we were communicating. I stayed on my man, and I saw the ball coming out of the corner of my eye. I jumped and ran fast."
Orchard wasn't shy about hiding his emotions either.
"It was the best feeling in the world," the junior said.
Liberty went up 42-7 after a Bush interception turned into a one-yard touchdown run by Pruett. Marcos Rodriguez scored the final tally of the game for the Eagles, zooming to the end zone on a 61-yarder.
Pruett completed 18 of his 21 attempts, throwing for 270 yards, and three touchdowns. The all-state dual-threat quarterback rushed for 50 yards on nine carries, scoring twice. He also collected two tackles on defense while Bush collected nine receptions for three touchdowns with nine tackles and one interception.
Orchard caught four passes for 45 yards. He posted 11 tackles and three saves on defense, including the 100-yard INT return for a touchdown. Rodriguez went 102 yards on eight carries and scored a touchdown.
For Aurora, Evans was 25-for-43 in completions, throwing for 212 yards on the night. He had a touchdown as well as an interception. Preston Naylor had 14 catches for 115 yards.
The Eagles improve to 2-0 in regular season play and will host Thayer next Friday night. Coach Acklin is optimistic about his team's chances as they gain experience and familiarity within the system.
"We're still moving people around due to injury," said Acklin. "We lost an outside linebacker and receiver last week. We've had to move some people around again this week. Kids are still learning their positions and where they fit in our system.
"I expect us to get better next week and the week after. Hopefully, by game five or six everyone will know their role and fit in well."
Aurora falls to 0-2 on the season after opening up 2016 against two quality opponents. Their luck doesn't get much better as they travel to Lamar next Friday night.
Liberty 49, Aurora 7
Aurora 7 0 0 0
Liberty 13 22 7 7
First quarter
Aurora – Evans TD pass to Naylor
Liberty – Pruett TD run
Liberty – Pruett 80-yard TD pass to Bush (Kick no good)
Second quarter
Liberty – Pruett TD pass to Bush (2-point conversion)
Liberty – Pruett TD pass to Bush
Liberty – Orchard 100-yard pick six
Third quarter
Liberty – Pruett TD run
Fourth quarter
Liberty – Rodriguez 61-yard TD run
