Liberty Middle School team wins championship
Seventh grade team also won a title this fall
8th grade champions.
7th grade champions.
MADISON – A three-peat isn’t easy in any sport, but the eighth graders at Liberty Middle School held up to their tradition by doing just that this season in winning the Madison County championship. Not to be outdone, the Lions’ seventh- grade team also won a title. The teams, however, might have been playing with a 12th man.
Team member and lineman Morgan Williams died in the spring during a physical education class from what was described as a medical emergency, leaving behind an energy that enveloped the squad throughout the rest of 2024.
“That eighth-grade group was playing for something,” said Tremaine Edwards, the head coach for both teams. “We had a kid pass this spring. Morgan was with us the whole way this year. Even though he wasn’t there physically, he was there in spirit. He was – things that happened in that championship game that we knew he was with us. So, Morgan Williams played an instrumental part of that, that eighth-grade championship.’’
The eighth graders avenged their lone loss in the regular season with a 21-15 victory over Monrovia in the champi- onship game and finished 6-1. Leading the way in the spread offense were receiver Kamari Lamkin, quarterback Andrew Gonzalez, running back Coen Williams and linemen Jamal Little, Britta Crass, Diego Santos and Fisher Rascoe.
For the seventh graders, who went unbeaten at 6-0, leaders included quarterback MJ Gray, defensive end LA West, receiver/ defensive end Captain Powell and receiver/quarterback/ safety Jeremiah Richie.
For James Clemens High School, which Liberty feeds, Edwards said, “The future is very bright.’’
He added that Jets head coach, Chad McGehee, has worked closely with the middle school teams.
“It’s like a brother, little brother relationship,” Edwards said. “He takes care of us if we need anything. We can call on Coach Mc-Gehee to get it done for us.’’
