By TYLER HENRY
JC Post contributor
The Salina Liberty will kick off their 2022 campaign in Topeka on Saturday night as they get their first look at the Tropics, one of four new teams in the CIF.
Salina is coming off another phenomenal season but with a revamped roster and a new league landscape, it’s all to play for to begin the new year.
“You definitely want to start the season well,” Liberty HC Heron O’Neal said. “Last year we were able to start 8-0 and while the start is important, our keyword this year is “finish.”
The Tropics were one of four teams involved in week one’s action, falling to Sioux City 52-18 but keeping things close with the Bandits throughout the first half.
“They really battled with Sioux City so when they’re playing on all cylinders they’re going to be tough to beat,” O’Neal said. “We’re definitely looking forward to the challenge of our first road game, if we can play the way I know we can play we should be able to put our best foot forward and get a win.”
The Tropics offense runs through the backfield of dual-threat quarterback Jeff LeGree and running back Jeff Mack who looked good in a penalty-ridden loss last week.
The battle in the trenches will be one to watch as well as the Tropics put strength on strength against a stout Liberty O-Line.
While Salina settles into a rhythm, the start will be imperative for Topeka, who enter this contest with just one CIF game played, but one more than the Liberty have this season.
“They definitely have the advantage of being unknown,” O’Neal said. “Their head coach was the DC in Kansas City last year so he knows the game and the league. They also have a game under their belt already so we’re going to have to limit our miscues as we settle in.”
On the Salina side, the top-scoring offense from a season ago is primed and ready to go off again, returning CIF Rookie of the Year Tyrie Adams at quarterback, MVP Tracy Brooks at running back, and “Fast Ed Smith” to lead the receiving corps.
This game will also be a vital opportunity with no preseason exhibitions for the Liberty rookies to prove that the training camp hype can translate to the field.
“We have to find ways in our first live action game to win the turnover battle and handle adversity, especially on the road,” O’Neal said. “It will be interesting to see how these rookies handle the pressure. They look great in practice but I’ve had a lot of ‘practice squad all-Americans’ in the past.”
Kickoff between the Liberty and Tropics is set for 7:05 pm in Topeka and all season long, games can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) courtesy of Eagle Radio.
For continuing coverage of Liberty football all season long, stay tuned to the JC Post.
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