Connor Leads Liberty Past Millbrook in 38-0 Win
(Bealeton, VA)--Wayne Conner led the way for the Liberty Eagles (8-1, 5-1) Friday night. He amassed 218 yards of offense against a very good Millbrook Pioneer (5-4, 2-4) defense. Conner gained 43 yards on 10 carries, 3 of which went for touchdowns, and was 11 for 16 with 175 yards passing for 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Conner led an Eagles attack that had 378 total yards while holding the Pioneers to only 162 yards and 7 first downs.
Liberty started the scoring when Conner hooked up with Chris Ball-Whitfield on a 17 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter; a drive in which Wayne Conner was 4 for 4 with 47 yards passing, a glimpse of what was to come as the night progressed. The second quarter was highlighted by a Conner run from 7 yards out that put Liberty in front 14-0. Liberty showed its ability to spread the ball around with 7 players touching the ball on the 9 play drive. Andy Smith would add a 40 yard field goal with 15 seconds left in the half to allow the Eagles a halftime lead at 17-0.
After the break Liberty put any hopes away the Pioneers may have had with 2 Wayne Conner 1 yard touchdown runs in the 3rd quarter. The 4th quarter was quiet except for a Liberty fake punt in which Andy Smith shuffle passed to Corey Lillard who went 34 yards for the touchdown. That play ended the scoring as the final tally was 38-0 in favor of the Liberty Eagles.
On the night Myles Reid had 57 yards on 12 carries to put him at 692 rushing yards for the year. Chris Ball-Whitfield emerged as one of Conner's favorite receivers on the night gaining 81 yards on 7 catches with one going for a touchdown. The Eagles defense again played a big part in the victory, being led by Seniors Chris Hunter and DeVaughn Parson in their last game at Liberty. Millbrook was led by JJ Casagranda who amassed 94 yards on 18 carries. Casagranda has gained almost 1,200 yards rushing this season. Sophomore Andrew Oates started at quarterback and was 4 for 14 with 43 yards and an interception to lead the Pioneers.
The regular season ends next week with the Liberty Eagles traveling to Nokesville to take on the Brentsville Tigers in what they hope will not be their last game of the year. That game can be heard on the TCC Sports Network on tccsports.com or gamedaymagazine.com. Millbrook will finish the season against the district leader Sherando next Friday night.
