After a three-game losing streak, the Eagles made the first step to taking their season back on Friday, Sept. 24. The Eagles crushed the Knights 28-6 for their second win of the season.

“We bounced back pretty well,” sophomore quarterback Noah Kuehner said.

Kuehner was the Eagle’s MVP in the game. He threw a touchdown pass to senior Alex Fillner, scored two touchdowns, and ran a grand total of 149 yards against the Knights. Kuehner didn’t go into the game until the second quarter, but when he did it was a game-changer for the Eagles. 

“I finally got my opportunity and just took the most of it,” Kuehner said.

The game started off slow with the first quarter and over half of the second going scoreless. Kuehner scored the first touchdown of the game with 3:57 left in the half on a 40-yard run to the endzone. The next offensive possession for the Eagles was another touchdown, this time thrown by Kuehner to Fillner for Fillner’s second touchdown in the three offensive games he has played this season. Fillner has a total of 171 yards so far this season, 26 yards on the touchdown against the Knights. 

From a scoreless first quarter to a 14-0 lead at halftime, the Eagles took over the game in two offensive possessions. Junior Charlie Hebden successfully kicked the extra point on both the Liberty touchdowns in the second quarter. On the defensive end, junior linebacker Matt Craig had a fumble recovery at the end of the half and nine total tackles, four of his own and five assisting other teammates. Senior Dominik Bishop also had nine tackles against the Knights, with seven individually and two assisting. 

Moving into the next half, sophomore Austin Steenbeke scored his first varsity touchdown on a 38-yard run and the third of the game for the Eagles with 9:54 left in the third quarter. Howell North responded to this touchdown shortly after by scoring their first touchdown of the game. With 7:40 left in the third quarter, the score was 21-6 with the Eagles coming out on top. 

Steenbeke nearly scored his second touchdown of the season, but a flag on the play rendered his run to the endzone invalid. Kuehner followed up the almost touchdown with a 45-yard run into the endzone with Knight’s DJ Williams trailing defeatedly behind. The final score was 28-6, Eagles never losing their reign on the lead. 

Liberty                            0    14    7    7 – 28

Francis Howell North 0     0    6    0 – 6

Second Quarter

L: Noah Kuehner 40 run (Charlie Hebden kick), 3:57

L: Alexander Fillner 26 pass from Noah Kuehner (Charlie Hebden kick), 0:21

Third Quarter

L: Austin Steenbeke 38 run (Charlie Hebden kick), 9:53

Fourth Quarter

F: Angelo Burris 12 pass from Jordan Minter (kick failed), 7:40

L: Noah Kuehner 45 run (Charlie Hebden kick), 4:23