The Liberty Christian Warriors (1-3) host 9-time Arkansas state champion Pulaski Academy (3-1) on Friday, October 1st.
Pulaski Academy
Known as “the team that never punts” under former Head Coach Kevin Kelley, The Bruins of Pulaski Academy won their ninth 5A State Championship in 2020 after going undefeated at 13-0.
The Bruins are also known to try a few onside kicks to try and keep possession of the ball.
In the 2020 championship game against Little Rock Christian, Pulaski Academy racked up 579 yards of total offense. The Bruins recovered five onside kicks, and scored touchdowns on three of them. Those extra possessions allowed Pulaski Academy to run 49 offensive plays in the 1st half alone.
QB Charlie Fiser leads the Bruins in 2021 and has passed for 1263 yards and 16 touchdowns, and only 4 INTs. He was a 2900-yard passer last season.
RB Joe Himon (5-9, 175) has rushed for 422 yards and 10 touchdowns.
WR Jaylin McKinney has recorded 375 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Bruin defense is led by Ben Smiley (24 tackles, 4 tackles for loss), LB Joe Osment (33 tackles, 4 tackles for loss), DB Josh Cady (3 INTs). But this is a defense that has recorded zero sacks.
Anthony Lucas, a former Arkansas Razorback standout, took over as Head Coach. Kevin Kelley moved on to become the head man at Presbyterian College, an FCS school. It will be interesting to see if coach Lucas keeps the no punt, on-side kick strategy in his back pocket.
Liberty Christian
Liberty Christian the Warriors of Liberty Christian have a new head coach. Former Dallas Cowboy and future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Whitten took over the reins of a team that has NFL-caliber size and speed.
The Warriors have another NFL connection on this team. Stud athlete Christian Driver plays both wide receiver and defensive back for the Warriors and is a 4-star recruit. According to 247sports, Driver holds 43 scholarship offers. He has elite speed, clocked at 4.4 in the forty-yard dash.
He is the son of former Green Bay Packers WR Donald Driver.
Other top players to watch for Liberty Christian:
- OL Kaden Taylor, 6-5, 305
- OL Dominick Taylor, 6-4, 305
- WR/DB Elijah Williams, 5-9, 175 (4.3 speed)
- DL Tristan DeLaRosa, 6-1, 230
- DL/LB Devin Strange, 6-2, 215
- OL Gabe Moore, 6-1, 250
The Warriors are coming off a 41-24 loss to All Saints Episcopal last Friday. Liberty Christian was 8 of 12 on 3rd down, but they did commit four turnovers. Their offense was balanced: 173 yards passing and 175 yards rushing.
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