By TYLER HENRY
Little Apple Post contributor
Following a dominant non-league win last week, the Salina Liberty will resume CIF play on Sunday evening in Billings as they get their first look at the expansion Outlaws.
The Outlaws have just one league game under their belt coming into week five but will be playing their first-ever home game in front of what is expected to be a rowdy crowd.
This game will also be the first missed by Liberty head coach Heron O’Neal as part of a two-game suspension from the league. In his stead, defensive coordinator Jorge Martinez and assistant coach Carlos Cavanaugh will take over the helm.
Billings is not your traditional expansion team, giving Sioux City a run for their money in a 57-44 loss at the hands of the 2-0 Bandits last week.
“Billings is a very talented, very well-coached team that’s trying to find their identity and settle into what they’re doing,” Martinez said. “They have top-notch athletes up and down that roster and this will be a hostile environment. They have a point to prove tonight.”
The biggest test for the Liberty defense will be in trying to slow Outlaw quarterback Charles McCullum, who completed 72% of his passes in the season opener, tossing five touchdowns and no picks.
“We have to play disciplined defense and we need to execute our game plan,” Martinez said. “Big plays are going to happen and we’re up against one of the best quarterbacks in indoor football history so we’ll have our hands full but if we execute our game plan this should be a good game.”
On the other side of the ball, the Liberty will look to heat up the offense after scoring just 33 and 36 in the team’s first two games.
“We have to stay focused offensively and we have to keep everything in front of us,” he said. “It’s about taking things one play at a time and one first down at a time and if we stay in character our guys can make the plays.”
While the skill players for both sides will be primed to put on a show, the dirty work on the front lines will set the tone, especially for a Liberty offense that can explode at any moment when reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tyrie Adams has time to work his magic.
“The battle in the trenches between our O-Line and their D-Line is going to be huge,” Martinez said. “They’re very good there and they have two D-Ends that are NFL caliber but we’ve got some guys like that too so that matchup will be one to watch.”
Kickoff between the Liberty and Outlaws is set for 5:00 MST and will be the only Sunday game of a busy weekend for the CIF.