By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
This has all the makings to be one of those historic Liberty teams in Brock Kenaga’s third season as head coach.
He’s been a fixture with the program for nearly three decades and – on paper – this group’s 15 returning starters may be as talented as any team Liberty has lined up in some time.
And it all starts at the skill positions where there is no shortage of home run threats.
Senior Drew Ripko may be the most versatile offensive weapon in the Ozarks. As a junior he accounted for 2,259 yards and 19 touchdowns, drawing comparisons to a former Eagle great.
“Drew is special,” said Kenaga. “He is very explosive and skilled in all phases. He could put up the kind of numbers Jaelon Acklin did.”
Maybe one of the biggest differences between this year and last year will be a healthy Carter Pruett. Before injuries got the best of him, Pruett passed for 1,287 yards and rushed for another 778 yards with 27 total touchdowns.
Liberty will still use multiple quarterbacks, but the junior is ‘the dude’.
“He is finally out of the shadow of Tyler Watts,” said Kenaga. “It’s his team and he is healthy with lots of weapons around him.”
Liberty will also return a full intact offensive line unit led by two-way starters senior Skyler Rogers and junior Brody Rutledge.
Both were All-SCA selections.
“Last year we were young upfront starting three sophomores and two juniors,” said Kenaga. “They got valuable experience last year and they have grown. Also we have a couple linemen back that were ineligible last year that will really help. We expect to be much improved.”
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Senior Kal Acklin will look to run the defense after being an All-SCA linebacker last year. He also added 23 catches for 349 yards and three touchdowns.
“Kal started for me as a freshman at 140 pounds,” said Kenaga. “He is now a senior with experience and weighs 190 lbs. He has committed himself to the weight room and became a very good player. We expect great things from him this year.”
Liberty won six of its last eight games down the stretch last season despite being short-handed. Prior to the injuries the Eagles gave Fair Grove and Thayer a run for their money.
This group of Eagles is eager to get back to their winning ways, competing for conference and district championships as expected. With all the turnover in the SCA and the graduation losses at some other programs, the door is open for Liberty to make a run.
“This group had a rough year last year,” said Kenaga. “They were inexperienced and then we had key injuries. That’s a bad combo. But because of this they grew up quickly and grew tighter.
“For us to complete this year we need to stay healthy. Last year we were decimated by injuries, losing both quarterbacks by game three. As long as we can stay healthy I feel we can be very competitive.”
Liberty will host Strafford on Aug. 26 to open the 2022 regular season.
