Mar 25, 2023

Liberty travel to Topeka in search of bounce back win

Posted Mar 25, 2023 5:34 PM

By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor

Coverage of Salina Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing
Coverage of Salina Liberty football is presented by Ryan Roofing

After a week off following a gut-wrenching overtime loss at the hands of Sioux City, the Salina Liberty will get back on the gridiron this Saturday, with a rematch against the Tropics in Topeka.

Salina defeated the Tropics 75-45 in their season opener two weeks ago, and will look for more of the same against an 0-2 unit fresh off a 66-27 loss at the hands of the Billings Outlaws.

With one matchup against Topeka already in hand, the Liberty can put together a well-informed battle plan for this game, as each side gears up for the early rematch.

“In these earlier league games, you don’t usually have film so you’re going in blind if the team has new coaching or players from the year before,” Salina head coach Heron O’Neal said. “With us having seen Topeka before we have film and that’s definitely a positive.”

Through two games, the Liberty are averaging a league-best 57 points per contest, thanks in large part to a veteran-heavy unit led by a promising rookie under center.

“I’ve been very impressed with what we have offensively,” O’Neal said. “We still have pieces that we can fine-tune but I like what I know we can mature into and I feel like we can hang our hats on that unit.”

Defensively, Salina has been middle of the pack in opposing points per game, and has room to grow throughout the early stages of the season.

“Our defense needs to step up,” he said. “We’re in the bottom of the league at getting opponents off the field on third down and we only have two interceptions and three sacks. These are things we must improve but if we can do that we’ll be in a good position to come out with a victory this week.”

Answering that bell will be easier said than done against a Tropics team that ranks third in the CIF in total offense, but with reinforcements and a week to rest the Liberty will be in prime position to take a big win on the road this week.

“I was impressed with Topeka’s offense in our first game,” O’Neal said. “They have some very special players on that unit and they’ve been upgrading their production early in the season. We have a lot of respect for what they can do but our defense will be mentally prepared to make plays and understand what they want to do.”

Kickoff between the Liberty and Tropics is set for 7:05 at the Stormont Vail Events Center in Topeka, and as always, the game can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) or streamed live on the Salina Post courtesy of Eagle Radio.