Eliav GabayVideo by Devon Henry
All year long, the Liberty Lions were looked at as the team to beat and the guys with the targets on their backs – and they took it with stride.
A sign of their growth as a group and as a program.
That was no different in this matchup between the No. 1 Lions and the No. 3 Centennial Coyotes.
Liberty was favored, and for good reason, but in the first half, the Coyotes were the one’s forcing the issue.
Even though the Lions struck first, they missed their extra point attempt.
Centennial responded with a steady offense that took time off the clock and punched in a pair of touchdowns before Liberty scored again.
And when the Lions did, they had a failed two-point conversion attempt. At that point, the game was nearing the end of the first half and the Coyotes led 14-12.
Upset bid?
Not exactly.
From that point on, Liberty showed why they are the one seed.
.@coachthomasfb with his wife, Dana, and their daughter, Rory.
This is what it’s all about.@Sports360AZ pic.twitter.com/TFRMOToExa
— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) December 3, 2023
Special teams recovered possession the very next play, the Lions scored again and never lost the lead.
Colin Thomas and his players came out of halftime rejuvenated and ready to take it to the Coyotes, and they did just that.
Thanks to great work from senior QB Navi Bruzon and senior RB Jon Wilson – their squad’s lead ballooned to 33-14.
The Lions defense took care of business from there, containing Centennial and earning their second ever state championship.
They won the 6A title in 2019 and have now added an Open title to the history books.
.@CoachJeddFisch stopped in for the Open State Championship between @LibertyFBLions & @Cehsfootball 🏈@Sports360AZ pic.twitter.com/qPYf6wLCtU
— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) December 3, 2023
