Basic, improved defense eye rematch with Liberty

Basic has had one of the top offensive football teams in the area for the past few seasons, averaging more than 30 points and routinely posting games in the 40s.

The problem was, that sometimes the Wolves scored 40, but gave up 50.

That hasn't been the case this season. While Basic still is averaging 34.5 points, the defense has turned the corner and has been a big part of getting the Wolves into Saturday's Sunrise Region title game. Basic (10-1) hosts five-time defending champion Liberty (10-1) at 12:10 p.m.

"Our defense played great both playoff games, and really all season," Basic coach Jeff Cahill said. "We feel like if we can hold teams to 20 or under, we've got a good shot to win every game."

Basic has allowed an average of 13.1 points this season and has posted three shutouts. No team has scored more than 23 points against the Wolves, who have held three opponents to less than 100 yards.

"Historically, they're tough, scrappy, and this year's team's the same way," Liberty coach Rich Muraco said. "And they have some athletes to go along with their toughness this year. We know we're going to have to bring our best game, and they're probably one of the better defenses that we've faced in a long time."

Experience is a big key for the Wolves on defense. Last year's team allowed an average of 28.2 points, but Basic returned 10 defensive starters.

"We've just got some kids that are very aggressive," Cahill said. "It was nice to start the season with everybody knowing their jobs and able to expand on that. And I think that's helped them."

Liberty will provide a huge challenge for the Wolves. The Patriots average 47.3 points and have topped 70 twice this season.

"Their defense flies to the ball very well," Liberty sophomore quarterback Kenyon Oblad said. "It's probably one of the better defenses we've played this year. We're just going to have to find ways to beat them and use our speed to get past them.

Liberty beat the Wolves 28-16 in last year's Sunrise title game, and Basic's players are anxious for another shot at the Patriots.

"We played a good game against them last year," Basic senior defensive end Kendahl Blakely said. "And preparation is everything for this year. We're just trying to work way harder. We're more conditioned. We're ready to go, we just have to work as a team."

Liberty had a split offensive personality for much of the season. One week, the run game would dominate like it did with a 498-yard effort against Mililani (Hawaii). The next week, the Patriots might turn to the passing game, like in a 357-yard game against Valley.

But Liberty looks like it has balanced things out of late. Over the past three games, the Patriots have averaged 233 rushing yards and 268.7 passing.

It's impossible to key on one player in Liberty's offense. Stephon Stowers, who rushed for 227 yards last week, leads the team with 609 rushing yards but has only 69 carries this season. While the Patriots are able to rack up rushing yards, most weeks the team's leading rusher doesn't top 70. They only have had four games with a 100-yard rusher this season. Thirteen players have scored a rushing touchdown.

"We go with the hot hand, and last week Stephon had a great week," Muraco said. "It's been one of the keys to our success. People are fresh right now. They're not banged up and worn down. And we're able to spread the ball around, and the kids buy into it."

Oblad has completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 2,664 yards and 26 touchdowns. Four receivers have more than 20 catches, led by junior Darion Acohido, who has 52 catches for 765 yards and five TDs.

"This is probably one of the best offenses we've had since I've been here as far as being dynamic and being able to do multiple things," Muraco said. "In some years, we could only run the ball and we couldn't really throw it. And a couple years ago, all we could really do was throw the ball. But this year, we're balanced. If we can pound the ball and grind out a win, we'll do that. If we have to go to the air, we have confidence in Kenyon and all of our athletes at receiver that we can take advantage of teams."

Basic will try to do its best to keep Liberty's offense off the field. Like the Patriots, the Wolves spread the ball around. Ten players have scored a rushing TD this season, and four receivers with 18 or more catches.

"It's going to be a tough game, and we know that," Cahill said. "We think we can make it a tough game for them, too."

Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at 702-380-4587 or dseiters@reviewjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DamonSeiters