Patriots’ defense stifles Panthers in lopsided win

The record will show that Liberty’s football team allowed points on Saturday.

But Patriots coach Rich Muraco sees it slightly different.

“In my opinion, the defense got the shutout. That was special teams,” Muraco said. “I’ve said it all year, and I’ll continue to say it: We’re going to go as far as our defense carries us.”

Ethan Dedeaux scored touchdowns rushing and receiving, and No. 3 Liberty held visiting Palo Verde without a point on offense in a 19-2 victory.

Spencer Wilson rushed for 74 yards, all in the second half, as Liberty (4-1) won despite missing seven starters.

“Not a whole lot of programs can handle that many quality people out, and I think it shows our program where we’re at and our depth,” Muraco said. “I’m real proud of the guys who were able to step in this game.”

Chauntez Thomas’ blocked punt out of the end zone for a safety with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter accounted for No. 5 Palo Verde’s only points.

The Panthers (2-2) made four trips inside Liberty’s 20-yard line and came away with no points. Palo Verde had a golden opportunity to get back in the game trailing 19-0 late in the third quater, when Patriots punter James Christie was tackled at his own 1-yard line.

But Graeson Vereen, who came on at quarterback for the Panthers in the second half, was dropped for an 8-yard loss on first down. He then was stuffed for no gain on fourth-and-goal from the Liberty 1.

Ty Fuller rushed for 57 yards to lead the Panthers, who were held to 151 yards on the ground and also committed two turnovers.

Dedeaux took a short pass from freshman quarterback Kenyon Oblad and raced 76 yards for a touchdown to put the Patriots on top 13-0 with 2:53 left in the second quarter. Dedeaux added a 25-yard TD run out of the “wildcat” formation on his only carry of the game to give Liberty a 19-0 lead early in the third quarter.

“We practiced it at practice I think once. It was a last-minute decision,” Dedeaux said. “The defense was coming aggressive, so I faked the read-option and went up for the score.”

Dedeaux finished with three catches for 92 yards.

“He’s amazing. He’s the best sophomore in town in my opinion,” Muraco said. “We’ve got to get him the ball so many touches a game. Palo, to their credit, their defense is really well coached. They played a lot of man-press (coverage) and made it difficult to get him open.”

Oblad found Jameson Pasigan on a slant pattern on fourth down, and the receiver took it 31 yards to put Liberty up 7-0 early in the second quarter. Oblad threw for 123 yards and two scores, but he missed his final nine passes and was also intercepted twice.

Liberty defensive back Preston Pavlica had two interceptions.

Contact reporter David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidSchoenLVRJ.