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Liberty uses flawless second half to win at Silverado

It’s not often that Liberty football coach Rick Muraco has to give his team a halftime tongue-lashing, but Friday was one of those rare nights. Though the second-ranked Patriots enjoyed a 27-point lead at the break, Muraco thought their lethargic play had led to several squandered opportunities.

His players got the point, as Liberty dominated every aspect of the second half en route to a 42-0 road win over Silverado.

Kenyon Oblad completed 11 of 20 passes for 218 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Patriots, who scored in the first minute and never looked back.

“We warned our guys that Silverado is a well-coached team,” Muraco said. “They didn’t come out with a lot of energy, so I had to get on them at halftime. They played with much more energy in the second half.”

Liberty started strong, scoring on passes of 54 and 30 yards from Oblad to Marquez Powell, in the first five minutes to go ahead 13-0.

After a lengthy scoring lull, Oblad connected with Lehi Ausage and Terris Hamilton in the second quarter to make it 27-o.

“When (Oblad) is on, our offense clicks and we’re hard to stop,” Muraco said. “Most of his unsuccessful passes tonight were due to drops more than anything else. He just gives us such a good chance to win.”

The Skyhawks stayed in the game with several sustained drives, though Liberty’s defense came up with key stops on each occasion.

The second half was a different story, as the Patriots dominated defensively throughout, starting with a safety two minues into the third quarter. Octavian Bell followed with a 60-yard interception return for a score on the next Silverado possession, and Liberty suddenly led 36-0.

The Patriots defense allowed just 97 yards on the night, while forcing four turnovers and squelching four Silverado fourth-down conversion attempts. Crishaun Lappin, who is committed to UNR, led the way with 5½ sacks.

Another interception led to a 9-yard TD run by Lappin in the fourth quarter, allowing Liberty to run out the clock.

“Overall, I thought we played a really good game tonight,” Muraco said. “On both sides of the ball.”

Powell finished with 110 yards on four receptions to help Liberty (7-1, 4-0 Southeast League), and Hamilton had three catches for 68 yards.

Carson Loosbroack completed 13 of 32 passes for 131 yards to lead Silverado (2-6, 0-4)

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