Another potential Liberty signature win slips away
September 23, 2023 by Jose Garcia, AZPreps365
Corona, Calif. -- Another signature victory slipped from Liberty's grasp.
The Lions squandered a 14-point lead after turning the ball over in its three final fourth quarter possessions against arguably Southern California’s premier public school, Centennial. Centennial had its own turnover issues but scored when it mattered most—on its final drive.
Highly touted running back Cornell Hatcher II’s fourth touchdown, a 14-yard run, with 31.5 seconds left, and Centennial’s ensuing two-point conversion, rewarded the team with a 42-35 home win. Centennial sealed the victory after picking off its second pass of the second half.
The eventual game winning drive went 90 yards after Liberty turned the ball over on downs. With 4:27 left, Liberty (4-1) had a 1st and goal at the 8-yard line but failed to score.
Liberty went ahead 35-21 after Jon Wilson’s 36-yard catch and run on 2nd and 22 in the first play of the fourth quarter. But Centennial immediately responded with a touchdown.
Centennial’s speed caused problems, and allowed it to rally when it trailed in the game a couple of times. But failing to recover a Centennial pooch kick and throwing its first interception in the fourth quarter also hurt Liberty.
Despite throwing three interceptions and its two turnovers on downs and two fumbles, 3-2 Centennial still managed to defeat a Liberty team that led most of the game.
“Our kids fought their tails off,” Liberty coach Colin Thomas said. “Proud as heck of them. We have to get healthy next week, and we’ll be back.
“It’s a really quality team you’re playing on the road. So obviously we took this game to get us prepared for the Open playoffs. We’ve been in these type of games many a times now. Unfortunately it hasn’t always gone our way. So we have to find a way as a staff and team to finish the job.”
Jon Wilson scored four touchdowns for Liberty, which will be off next week to regroup and prepare for region play.
Jon Wilson is one of the elite backs on the west coast. Does it on the ground and in the passing game.
— Liberty Lions Football (@LibertyFBLions) September 24, 2023
College coaches need to know about him. pic.twitter.com/0hcdGQeIlb
The result didn't go our way but #7 was without a doubt one of the best players on a field littered with elite talent on both sides of the ball.
— Liberty Lions Football (@LibertyFBLions) September 24, 2023
Will continue to get better and lead his team into the second half of the year. #TDLCC#MOB#RTD pic.twitter.com/hvsSn69l7T
@LibertyFBLions vs. Corona Centennial, one of Southern California’s premier programs. Kickoff is about 30 minutes away. pic.twitter.com/A78AxIRhwM
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
Corona Centennial wants to protect its turf tonight vs. @LibertyFBLions: pic.twitter.com/4QxvYPt3Wt
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
@LibertyFBLions just scored, 7-0. Navi 32-yard TD run. Centennial with two turnovers in the red zone. pic.twitter.com/Bbk8lePekv
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
Centennial with 67-yard TD run, 7-7 with 1:27 left in first quarter. pic.twitter.com/5SoQ4MRdEE
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
Wildcat formation. TD run @LibertyFBLions, up 14-7: pic.twitter.com/NOhZGMOXc6
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
14-yard TD catch Centennial. First drive of second quarter. 14-14 pic.twitter.com/FtAb1Xo1DR
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
21-14 @LibertyFBLions. 5:16 left in 2q: pic.twitter.com/9sRlwEQWNt
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
After a turnover on downs, it took Centennial about 13 seconds and two plays to travel 63 yards. Capped the drive with a TD catch with 18.9 left in 2q. 21-21 halftime. pic.twitter.com/4faFqGKUcT
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
@LibertyFBLions third INT leads to a TD run. Up 28-21. pic.twitter.com/iNaLh6pvBC
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
This 38-yard catch by Chris McKivitz helped set up the TD run. Liberty dropped a couple of deep passes near the end of the second quarter. pic.twitter.com/E3vWe2M6Gz
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
2nd and 22 and @LibertyFBLions finds the end zone during the first play of the 4q. Up 35-21 pic.twitter.com/4pMdAvuY1U
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
Centennial comes right back. 17-yard TD run. 35-28 Liberty. 11 minutes left pic.twitter.com/UQD4MFN2n2
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023
Liberty and heartbreak. Again. Lost 42-35. Centennial picked off final pass attempt. pic.twitter.com/60HVYqS7AD
— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) September 23, 2023