Liberty gets win over Discovery
Liberty’s Jacob Kelley runs with the football in seventh grade action (Record Photo/Lindsay Vaught)
MADISON- Liberty seventh grade football team scored a 16-6 win over Discovery for their first win over their cross-town rivals since 2012. The win gave Liberty a winning record on the season at 3-2.
In the eighth grade game Discovery came out on top 22-20 after a furious comeback.
The deciding touchdown in the seventh grade game came with a minute left in the fourth quarter when Dante Snodgrass weaved his way through the Panther defense on a 45-yard touchdown run. The Lions got an interception by Jacob Kelly in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Cosey Scarebrook directed the offense for Liberty. Adam Benefield was quarterback for Discovery.
“We were nervous coming out because of the atmosphere and the rivalry but once we got some hits we started playing physical and hitting the holes and broke some long runs. We sent a blitz and got the interception,” said Liberty Head Coach Michael Harper.
“Very proud of our guys, fought hard, had a good week of practice and its a good end to the season,” Harper added.
Harper returned to coach Liberty after a 2 year stint at the staff at James Clemens.
“We decided we wanted to incorporate the two programs and make our team like their team as far as offense, defense, off-season program, the whole football program.”
The eighth grade game started like Liberty was going to score another win. The Lions, quarterbacked by Conner Cantrell, scored on the first play of the game, a 60-yard touchdown pass from Cantrell to Jaylen Grigsby.
The Lions got another quick touchdown from Tyrik Walker and the score was 14-0.
Discovery came back however to score a 22-20 victory for coach Cedric Jackson.
Uncharacteristically Discovery entered the game winless at 0-5. For the first time in three years the Panthers will not play in the North Alabama Middle School Championship game.
“Biggest thing was we came here late and the guys didn’t have a spring or summer learning the system,” Jackson said. “But I’m proud of what the guys accomplished this year, for staying together, and not quitting. The seventh grade finished 3-2 and I’m looking forward to working with those guys in the offseason and building that program up. After fall break I will start planning for next season. I will be going to the elementary schools building relationships with those kids to get them ready for middle school and promoting our program.”
