By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Jansen Acklin is entering Year Two at his alma mater and you could see him growing more comfortable as the season progressed.
After a 1-3 start last year, the Eagles won six of their last seven games before losing to eventual final four team Fair Grove.
Liberty returns 17 starters and 24 total letterwinners – as well as a full year of similarity with Acklin’s style and system – which has expectations around the program high.
“We had a full offseason together this year to build on our culture and talk through the changes we need to make that we learned from last year,” said Acklin. “This group has been hungry to improve and attacked the weight room with energy the entire offseason. I’m really proud of the consistency and commitment these guys have shown to our program.”
Leading a talented group of returners is standout senior Gavin Reese (6-2, 175).
He’s a three-sport stud and there’s not a position on the field he can’t play.
This fall he will be back at quarterback primarily but he’ll again be a factor in all three phases of the game.
“Gavin will take over as quarterback this year,” said Acklin. “He stepped into the role a few games as a freshman due to injuries, then had a great season in our dual quarterback system as a sophomore. He’s a team leader that has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches, and we’re excited to have him as our guy going into this season.”
Reese will have no shortage of weapons with All-SCA selections Chris Sharr (5-11, 165) and Eddie Rodriguez (5-10, 165).
They will also see significant time in the defensive backfield.
“Both of those guys showed tremendous improvement throughout the season last year and are going to carry big roles in our offense this year.”
Juniors Parker Tune (6-2, 170) and Tytus Jester (5-9, 155) will also see time at receiver and in the secondary.
Jaren Rutledge (5-11, 210) returns for his junior year after earning All-SCA honors in 2023. He’s a powerhouse running back as well as a standout linebacker.
The strength of Liberty Football will be in the trenches for the first time in some time.
Senior Kenyon Walls and juniors Matt Bushong (6-2, 225) and Tyler Glasscock (5-9, 230) are all back in the mix.
All three were All-SCA players in 2023 and will likely see two-way action this fall.
Senior Jeven Blair, junior Lukas Carl (6-2, 300) and sophomore Malakai Oliver will all compete for reps on either side of the line.
Freshman Brian Thompson (6-2, 225) is another name to know now and moving forward.
“We do have quite a few guys back that either started or got in the rotation on the OL/DL late in the season last year,” said Acklin. “I think that Friday night experience along with putting in more time and work in this offseason is going to make a big difference for those guys going into this season.”
Liberty has been one of the top programs in the Ozarks and in Class 2 since 2012. The Eagles have won six district titles in the last 11 seasons, but are still searching for their first state championship game appearance.
This team is talented enough to make a deep run. To do so they’ll have to navigate a brutal SCA schedule and the always-loaded Class 2 in Southwest Missouri.
Acklin is excited for what can be with this group.
“There were some surprising coaching changes around the conference this offseason,” said Acklin. “We know our mindset must stay the same and focus on one opponent at a time when you’re in a competitive conference like the SCA.
“This is a hardworking group of kids that have been very consistent this offseason. We’ve seen a lot of improvement through their commitment to the weight room and putting in extra work throughout the winter and spring. They showed a lot of resiliency through adversity as a young group last season. We’re really excited to show we got better from those experiences and we’re focused on competing at a high level one game at a time.”
Liberty will jamboree at Sarcoxie on Aug. 23 before hosting Strafford on Aug. 30 to open the 2024 regular season.
The Eagles host Mountain Grove on Oct. 4.
