Liberty
The Liberty football team opened the season with a win for the first time since 2004. The Patriots blasted Ballard 43-7 on Sept. 5 at Seattle Memorial Stadium.
“It feels good. It’s a nice way to get going,” said Liberty coach Steve Valach. “We played well on both sides of the ball.”
John Law started the scoring for Liberty with a five-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Liberty’s Greg Ericksen then put the game out of reach. Ericksen ran in two scores and caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from Trey Wheeler. Ericksen picked up 174 total yards (82 rushing, 72 receiving, 20 kick return) in the game.
Chandler Jenkins rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on 11 attempts.
The Liberty defense stood out, intercepting three passes and tackling Ballard for a safety. Taylor Hamann returned one of those interceptions 72 yards for a touchdown.
Ballard’s only touchdown came by a 63-yard fumble return in the fourth quarter.
“We still have steps to make to get better,” Valach said. “It was a good start, but it’ll get a lot tougher next week.”
Liberty hosts Woodinville Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. Woodinville has been to the past three 4A state tournaments, including a second-place finish in 2005.
Hazen
The Hazen football team started 2008 on the right foot. Defensive lineman Matt Hu returned a fumble 31 yards for a touchdown on the first non-kickoff play of the game. The play gave the Highlanders a 7-0 lead on the way to a 33-0 season-opening win against Evergreen on Sept. 5 at Renton Memorial Stadium.
“It was a great way to start the game,” said Hazen coach Scott Leick. “It helped us get the momentum going our way.”
Sophomore quarterback Travis Johnson connected with Tyler Searles on two touchdown passes twice in the first
half from nine and ten yards out. Running back James Holland added a 17-yard touchdown run to give Hazen a 26-0 lead at the half. Holland then added another touchdown run from 11 yards out in the fourth quarter to put the score at 33-0.
The Hazen defense starred and shutout the Wolverines.
“We were very balanced on offense with two passing scores and two running scores,” Leick said. “I was surprised at how well the defense played. They stepped up and played a tough four quarters.”
Hazen hosts Highline Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.
Renton
The Renton football team beat Foster 14-13 in Foster’s first game as part of the Seamount League on Sept. 5 at Werner Neudorf Memorial Field.
The Indians led 8-7 after the first quarter and added six more points to lead 14-7 at the half. Foster scored six fourth-quarter points, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.
Renton hosts Bishop Blanchet Sept. 13 at 1.30 p.m.
Lindbergh
The Lindbergh team got its offense going in full gear right away in a 33-3 season-opening win over Highline Sept. 5 at Highline Stadium.
The Eagles broke out for 21 points in the second quarter to put the game out of reach, then added 12 in the fourth quarter.
Lindbergh senior quarterback Jake Allie passes for four touchdowns in the game, completed a pass for a two-point conversion, and kicked an extra point in the second quarter.
The Pirates mustered just a field goal in the third quarter.
Lindbergh hosts Foster Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
