Liberty Holds On To Beat Loudoun Valley 28-21
BEALETON, VA - Wayne Conner's 3 yard touchdown run late in the 4th quarter proved to be the difference in this hard fought Cedar Run District battle. Liberty built a 21 point lead in the first half on two long runs and a short pass. Mark Simpson broke off a 67 yard run around the right side of the offensive line after a 12 yard touchdown pass from Wayne Conner to Corey Lillard. Lillard found the end zone again in the 2nd quarter with a 77 yard touchdown run.
Simpson finished the night with 132 yards on 18 carries and helped the Eagles out gain the Vikings 308 to 75 on the ground. On the other hand, the Vikings passed for 166 yards while Liberty only had 52 yards through the air.
Viking quarterback Cooper Barth impressed many in the crowd going 20-34 for 166 yards and 1 touchdown. Barth connected with JT Hornyak from11 yards out in the opening minutes of the 3rd quarter. Running back Jack Devine would score on a 1 yard run on Loudoun Valley's next possession to bring the Vikings within 7 at 21-14.
The biggest play for the Eagles came midway through the 4th quarter on a 4th and long conversion by Mark Simpson. Wayne Conner rolled to his right and hit Simpson on a crossing route right past the first down marker. Simpson showed great ability by adjusting to the ball that was thrown slightly behind him. A few plays later Conner scored and put the Eagles up for good.
Liberty improves to 6-3 overall and more importantly 5-1 in the Cedar Run, while the Vikings fall to 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the Cedar Run. Liberty will face Fauquier (8-1) (5-1) next Friday night in the annual Bird Bowl. Coverage of this highly anticipated match up can be found exclusively on www.GamedayMagazine.com with coverage beginning at 6:45pm this Friday night.
