Liberty stuns top-ranked team in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — The Liberty football players are going to get some extra rest after the Patriots pulled a 21-14 upset of Westlake (Texas) on Friday night.

And after traveling 1,296 miles, catching 5:30 a.m. flights and beating the top-ranked team in Texas, it’s more than deserved for the Patriots.

“No practice until Tuesday, heck, make it Wednesday,” Liberty coach Rich Muraco told his team after the game. “Enjoy this. That is a good program over there, and that’s what we need to do against teams like Gorman.”

Bishop Gorman, USA Today’s No. 1-ranked team in the country, was what this trip was all about. Muraco said if his team is going to get over the hump against the seven-time defending state champions, it needs to prepare itself by playing other national powers.

“Hopefully the kids see how well you have to play against an elite team, so if we do get to face Gorman, they know how to play on that level,” Muraco said. “A lot of what we do is to beat Bishop Gorman.”

Last Saturday, Gorman traveled to Texas and won a nationally televised game with Cedar Hill on ESPN2. Liberty then visited Texas’ top-ranked team in the Class 6A Associated Press poll and picked up a second victory in a week for Nevada.

The victory was one of the biggest ever for Liberty. Dating to 2012, the Patriots were 1-5 against out-of-state opponents.

Liberty quarterback Kenyon Oblad finished 20-for-31 for 281 yards and three touchdown passes, and Darion Acohido caught 10 passes for 183 yards and one TD. Ethan Dedeaux had six receptions for 63 yards and two TDs.

“The best thing I can say about No. 7 (Oblad) is that he moved the chains,” Westlake coach Todd Dodge said. “He converted and read the plays right on a lot of long third downs. I think he’s only a junior, so that’s pretty scary for the rest of Nevada.”

Westlake was missing starting quarterback and Texas commit Sam Ehlinger, who injured his knees last week against Katy (Texas) and underwent surgery on his left knee Tuesday. With Ehlinger watching from the sideline, Westlake couldn’t establish any rhythm in the passing game.

Backup quarterback Matt Gense misfired on his first five passes and finished 10-for-24 for 106 yards. The Patriots defense allowed only 209 total yards.

“We knew he was making his first start, so we made sure to bring the pressure,” said Muraco, whose team is ranked second in the Southern Nevada coaches poll.

Both offenses struggled in the first half, as the teams combined for six punts and a turnover. Liberty put together the only scoring drive of the half late in the second quarter — an 85-yard march that lasted 10 plays and took 4 minutes, 17 seconds.

Oblad showed off his arm on the scoring drive. The quarterback connected with Acohido on key third downs before they hooked up for a 28-yard touchdown through the middle of the Westlake defense.

Westlake countered in the second half when Barrett Chambers blocked a Liberty punt and returned it to the 18-yard line. Three plays later, Nakia Watson scored on an 11-yard run up the middle.

Liberty responded with an eight-play, 84-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 14-yard scoring strike from Oblad to Dedeaux. The drive was sparked by another long passing play to Achohido, who danced his way to a 39-yard reception on a third-down play.

Westlake had a chance to tie the score early in the fourth quarter, but Liberty forced a fumble at the 13-yard line and scored on the ensuing possession when Dedaux caught his second touchdown.

Liberty needed the points after Westlake connected for a 66-yard touchdown with 8:36 remaining.