Road to Redemption

Eagles knock off the Blue Jays after last year’s horrendous loss

Rylee Shipes, Sports Editor of the Talon | September 25, 2023

The whole team celebrates in front of the final scoreboard. Liberty redeemed themselves from last year’s 76-7 loss to Washington.

Sydney Davis

In the third home game in a row, the Eagles went head-to-head with the Washington High School Blue Jays. As the student section erupted with Eagle spirit, Liberty swept past the Blue Jays, 49-21 to improve their record to 4-1. They also found redemption after suffering a loss last year to the Blue Jays by almost 70 points.

“It was crazy last year, it shouldn’t’ve been that way,” said junior quarterback Cody McMullen. “I am glad we bounced back this year, it was amazing.”

The game started with the Eagles winning the coin toss, and the redemption game began. Senior Marquis Williams scored the first touchdown of the game followed by an extra point scored by McMullen. Shortly following, Washington suffered a 35-yard penalty, soon followed by the Blue Jays evening out the score, and rounding off the first quarter.

However, kicking off the second quarter, Williams found the endzone scoring the Eagles second touchdown, then dedicating it to his mother.

“She’s a special lady and tomorrow’s her birthday,” Williams said.

Senior Marquis Williams (#8) dodges a Blue Jay defender to reach the end zone. (Anna Simms)

The rest of the first half was filled with a touchdown from senior Matthew Manocchio, followed by a couple extra points by McMullen.

Kicking off the second half, McMullen not only scored a 1-yard touchdown, but also followed it up with an extra point. Liberty took a commanding 28-7 lead.

“It’s crazy, I didn’t even know I could kick honestly, they were just like ‘can you kick’ and I was like ‘sure’. They wanted me to stay on the field and I did, and I drained it. It was crazy,” McMullen said. .

Finishing up the game, Williams scored another two touchdowns to secure the win.

“It felt good honestly, especially after last year. It just felt good to get back on the field, and show them what we’re made of,” Williams said.

LIBERTY 49, WASHINGTON 21

Washington 7 0 6 8 – 21

Liberty 7 14 22 6 – 49

First Quarter

L: Marquis Williams 3 run (Cody McMullen kick), 6:51

W: Tyrese Thurmon 15 pass from Ryan Kassebaum (Nick Lucido kick), 0:21

Second Quarter

L: Marquis Williams 3 run (Cody McMullen kick), 10:53

L: Matt Manocchio 53 pass from Cody McMullen (Cody McMullen kick), 3:46

Third Quarter

L: Cody McMullen 1 run (Cody McMullen kick), 10:53

L: Marquis Williams 43 run (Cody McMullen kick), 8:45

W: Nick Lucido 48 pass from Ryan Kassebaum (kick failed), 7:08

L: Marquis Williams 18 run (Noah Kuehner pass from Austin Steenbeke), 5:05

Fourth Quarter

W: Landon Boston 2 pass from Ryan Kassebaum (Landon Boston pass from Ryan Kassebaum), 11:56

L: Marquis Williams 53 run (kick failed), 1:06

About the Contributors

Rylee Shipes, Sports Editor of The Talon

Rylee Shipes is senior and the sports editor of the Talon yearbook. This is her second year in publications and can’t wait to make this year’s book. In her free time she loves to read, write, and fight jiu jitsu. Rylee also really loves hockey (her favorite team is the Anaheim Ducks). Outside of the sports realm, she is a part of the drama club and has been doing theater since middle school. She is currently working at Schnucks, but her dream job is to be a sports reporter.

Anna Simms, Editor-in-Chief of LHStoday.org

Anna Simms is the editor-in-chief of LHStoday.org and this is her third year in publications. She is also in her senior year and second year at SCC. After high school, Anna plans on going to a university to study biomedical sciences, and later get a doctorate. She is also a part of Liberty’s drama club as an executive board member, and has done both acting and tech. Outside of school, you can find Anna either taking photos, editing, hanging out with friends, listening to music, or reading!

Sydney Davis, Editor-in-Chief of The 2024 Talon

Sydney Davis is an editor-in-chief of the Talon Yearbook and will soon be in her third year of publications while also a manager of the cross country team. She is in her senior year and her second year of classes at SCC. She loves listening to music and watching movies and reading in her free time, along with playing with her niece and nephews. Sydney dreams of being a concert photographer while traveling the world when she is older. She is unsure of where her education will continue after high school, but would like to major in either journalism or marketing. Worms love worms!