Leopards complete first unbeaten season

Halfback Robert Hightower scored on three long runs following some help from Liberty's defense.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
LIBERTY -- It's ironic that the game capping Liberty High's first undefeated regular season was against a team whose stadium was Liberty's home field for four years after the resurrection of football in the mid-1960s.
Liberty, at the time, must have been grateful to Girard for its brotherly spirit.
After losing to the Leopards (10-0, 7-0) Friday night, 48-7, Girard probably wishes they could have stayed at Arrowhead Stadium.
But the game was at Leopard Stadium, where Liberty solidified the outright Trumbull Athletic Conference championship.
"Right now, I'm just loving it," Robert Hightower said. "We've been waiting for this for a long time."
Liberty actually clinched the TAC crown last week, but was aiming for a first-ever perfect season.
The show
Hightower was the offensive show as the 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior halfback scored three touchdowns of 50-plus yards in the first half.
After Hightower's first two runs were gains of 5 and 10 yards, the Indians saw the front of jersey No. 9 and then the back. Before they could blink, he was in the end zone.
"I just had to pick one of the holes, then I saw a bunch of green and just cut it in," said Hightower.
"He's doing a good job of reading his blocks," Liberty coach Jeff Whittaker said of the running back who had 193 yards on six carries in the opening 24 minutes. He finished with 226 on nine.
"Those linemen did a great job getting off the football and blocking people," Whittaker added. "We talked before the game about weather conditions and playing in mud. That's when you have to be more aggressive and more physical up front. They really met that challenge."
Whittaker was talking about center Majdy Salman, guards Chris Harrison and Mike Maurer, tackles Brandon Welch, Brandon Dragich and Roger Gillum and tight end John Humphrey.
Girard strikes first
After Brett Dutton's 3-yard run and Eric Stevens' point-after kick gave Girard (3-7, 2-5) a 7-0 lead, Hightower came into focus.
"They were just plays up the middle," Hightower said of the runs of 53, 57 and 66 yards to help Liberty to a 28-7 halftime lead.
"We've had good teams here," Whittaker said of his years as Liberty's coach, "but this team has that little extra. When you have this combination of offensive and defensive linemen and the skill players, you know you have a shot [at an undefeated season]."
A fumble recovery by Christopher Williams set up Hightower's second TD and Jonathan Wells' interception preceded Hightower's 66-yarder. Andre Barnes picked off Dutton's pass and returned it 78 yards for another six points.
Liberty finished with 342 yards rushing and 35 passing, while Girard had 109 on the ground and 110 passing. The Leopards had the ball for 16:32 compared to Girard's 31:28.
Dutton entered the game with over 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 passing.
He was Girard's starting quarterback since halftime of the Lakeview game.
Not all offense
"Our defense did a great job of containing him," Whittaker said of Dutton, a 6-2, 205 senior, who completed 12-of-31 passes.
Missed tackles and Liberty's speed were a problem for the Indians.
"I wouldn't say they were overpowering, but they were a quick team," Girard coach Bud McSuley said.
"We had some opportunities that we didn't take advantage of and we missed some tackles. They're a good team. That's why they're 10-0. We're sitting at 3-7."
bassetti@vindy.com