Liberty football was three points shy of tying Hockinson in the semifinals game Nov. 24 in Vancouver which could have forced the game into overtime.
The Patriots lost its final game of the season 27-24, one game shy of entering the 2A state championship game against Lynden.
Liberty struck first with a one yard touchdown run from Jacob Thoresen.
The Patriots led 7-0 with less than a minute to go in the first quarter.
Just barely into the second quarter with 11 minutes to play, Hockinson scored on a 60 yard completion.
On Liberty’s next possession, the Patriots scored on a 54 yard rush from Ryan Kirschner.
The Patriots now led 14-7.
Liberty kicked off to Hockinson before Scott Heimbigner intercepted the football. The Patriots had the ball at Hockinson’s 16 yard line.
With nine minutes to play in the first half, Connor Davis kicked a 19 yard field goal.
The Patriots now led 17-7.
Liberty once again kicks off to Hockinson. The Patriots recovered a fumble at their own 23 yard line.
Thoresen rushed in from 13 yards out to add another six to the board. With a good point after, Liberty led 24-7 with five minutes to play in the first half.
With less than a minute to go, Hockinson scored on a 33 yard completion.
The Hawks now trailed 24-14 at halftime.
On Hockinson’s second possession of the second half, the Hawks scored one a one yard rush.
The point after was missed and the Hawks were now within four of the Patriots, trailing 24-20.
Early in the fourth quarter with 11 minutes to go, Hockinson intercepted Liberty on their 20 yard line.
The Hawks scored on a one yard rush to take the lead, 26-24.
The point after was good and Hockinson now led Liberty 27-24 with seven minutes to play.
The Patriots had the ball for four minutes before turning it over on downs to the Hawks.
The Hawks held on to the ball for the remaining three minutes of regulation and secured its spot in the championship game Nov. 30 at the Tacoma Dome.
Liberty finished the season with a 10-3 overall record. The Patriots lost two regular season games prior to losing its semifinals matchup up.
The boys were 4-1 in conference play, only losing to KingCo 2A/3A leader, Bellevue, in mid-October.
