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Upset averted: Frisco staves off strong push from Liberty
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
FRISCO – Frisco and Liberty entered Thursday night's game at FC Dallas Stadium on opposite sides of the District 9-4A standings.
The Raccoons had sole possession of first place with a 3-0 mark against district counterparts while the Redhawks were still searching for their first win over 9-4A foes.
That didn't keep Liberty from giving Frisco a run for its money, making the Raccoons sweat until the final seconds of a 43-35 contest.
Despite Frisco adding an insurance touchdown with just 2:02 left in the fourth quarter to take a 43-28 lead, the Redhawks marched down the field and made it a one-score game on a 2-yard run from senior running back Aaron Estes.
The Raccoons weren't able to breathe a sigh of relief until recovering an onside kick attempt with 50 seconds left in the game.
"We kept hoping to tie it up, but they stayed one step ahead of us," said Galen Zimmerman, Liberty head coach.
Frisco began the game on offense and looked to establish its dominance early by marching 54 yards for a touchdown that was capped by a 5-yard run from senior fullback Derek Deiter. A successful two-point conversion made it an 8-0 contest with 8:54 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Redhawks had an answer of their own and made it an 8-7 game on the ensuing drive after senior running back Alonte Ryan punched it in from 7 yards away.
Ryan's score came several plays after the Redhawks were held to a fourth down and proceeded to convert a fake punt after Estes crossed the first-down marker.
"That was a big play for us," Zimmerman said. "That gave us a spark right off the bat."
Deiter added his second touchdown of the night on Frisco's opening drive of the second quarter, capping a 64-yard drive with a 4-yard run that gave the Raccoons a 15-7 advantage with 8:09 left in the first half.
Frisco then showed why it sits atop the district standings with a defensive stop that set up a 1-yard touchdown run from junior quarterback Jake Battaglia, making it a 22-7 contest with 3:52 remaining in the second quarter.
"It had that same feel as last year's game," Zimmerman said. "[Frisco] has a good football team."
Liberty got exactly what it needed on the final possession of the half when junior quarterback Connor Robison found senior receiver Garrett Turnbull in the end zone for a 5-yard hookup with only 13 seconds remaining on the clock.
The score trimmed Frisco's lead to 22-14 and allowed Liberty to enter the break with a one-possession deficit.
"We've got a good football team," Zimmerman said. "We've just been hit by injuries and some different things that you just can't worry about."
Liberty's momentum carried over to the start of the third, as the Redhawks put together a 72-yard drive that ended in a 3-yard touchdown run from Ryan. The score put Liberty within a point, 22-21, with 8:15 left in the quarter.
A scary situation for Frisco got worse on the ensuing possession when Liberty's Jamerson Jones recovered a fumble and set the Redhawks up at their own 41-yard line.
However, it didn't take long for the Raccoons to regain possession after a botched play on Liberty's first play from scrimmage ended in back-to-back fumbles.
"It was just a mishandled exchange is what it was," Zimmerman said. "We were running a play we've practiced all the time."
Frisco made the most of the opportunity and quickly drove 38 yards to go ahead 29-21 after a 7-yard run from Deiter.
"That was huge," Gibson said. "It really swung the momentum back in our favor."
The Raccoons tried to pull away in the fourth when junior fullback Matt Nollman scored on a 2-yard run at the 7:39 mark to give Frisco a 36-21 advantage.
Staying true to the theme of the night, the Redhawks responded with a 19-yard connection from Robison to junior Rodray Perkins that put the Frisco lead at 36-28 with 6:01 remaining in the game.
Robison finished the game with 186 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions through the air after completing 20-of-28 pass attempts. His counterpart, Battaglia, tallied 93 yards after going 7-of-10 on the night.
Deiter then added his fourth touchdown of the night by punching the ball in from a yard away with just 2:02 left in the game. The senior finished the game with 69 yards on 14 carries while junior running back Max Steitle led all players in the game with 107 yards on 12 carries.
"I was proud of the kids for responding any time Liberty cut into the lead," Gibson said.
Liberty's late push ultimately fell short and the team (2-5, 0-4) remained winless against district opponents this season. The Redhawks could have had an easier time Thursday against Heritage, who is also winless in 9-4A play. However, results were not available as of press time.
"Our district is tough," Zimmerman said. "You better come ready to play each week."
The win kept Frisco (5-2, 4-0) in the driver's seat with a 7 p.m. meeting against defending champion Centennial next in line tonight.
"We're in good shape right now," Gibson said. "Of course, a lot can happen in the next three games."
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