Eagles Rewind: 24-14 Win Over Warren Co.
(Front Royal, VA)--Dustin West didn't lead the Liberty Eagles (7-1 , 4-1) in carries, but all 9 runs proved pivotal in the rain drenched game Friday night in Front Royal against the Warren County Wildcats (3-5 , 0-5). West carried 9 times for 63 yards and 2 touchdowns on the night as the Eagles cruised to victory 24-14 over the Wildcats. West helped the Eagles offense produce over 300 total yards from scrimmage and use up almost 28 minutes of game clock.
After an Andy Smith 33 yard field goal, the Wildcats marched 85 yards and scored on a Brandon Baker 19 yard run to take a 7-3 lead with 8:30 to go in the half. The Eagles then fumbled on their own 40 yard line which was recovered by the Wildcats' Senior R.J. Robinson. After a failed 4th and 7 attempt by the Wildcats the Eagles drove 76 yards in just under 2 minutes to make the game 10-7 Liberty going into the locker room.
Both teams came out ready in the 2nd half but it was the Eagles who controlled both the clock and the game after the break. Liberty was able to put the game away by the end of the 3rd quarter scoring 14 points on two Dustin West touchdown runs. The second of which was set up by a Corey Lillard interception on Liberty's 44 yard line. There were only 2 possessions in the 4th quarter with the Wildcats scoring on a 9 yard touchdown pass from Brandon Baker to Matt Cuff with 6:48 left in the game that pulled Warren to within 10 points at 24-14; however, the Eagles recovered the onside attempt and ran out the clock to seal their 7th victory of the season and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
The Wildcats were led by huge efforts from Brandon Baker who accounted for all but 4 yards of the 192 yards of offense Warren produced, and on the defensive side of the ball by Calvin Clatterbuck and Matt Cuff. DJ Henry also had 4 catches for 57 yards.
The Eagles offense started slowly, but kept to their game plan and pounded the ball on a night that was conducive to the run. Liberty had seven different ball carriers who accounted for 254 yards of offense. Leading the way for the Eagles were Wayne Connor (who made his first start of the season) with 12 rushes for 78 yards; Myles Reid with 71 yards on 14 carries, and West. The Eagle defense was led again by senior defensive end DeVaughn Parson who contributed 2 sacks on the night.
Liberty will host Millbrook next Friday night November 3rd in Bealeton at Kip Hull Field for senior night. That game can be heard on the TCC Sports Network with Charlie Goode and Miller Bennington starting at 7pm. Warren County travels to the Handley Bowl next Saturday November 4th before coming home for the final game ever at the Warren County Middle School on November 10th against Central.
