By TYLER HENRY
Little Apple Post contributor
The Salina Liberty manhandled the Sioux City Asylum in the team's non-league exhibition on Saturday, turning in a resounding 50-18 victory.
Offensively, the Liberty didn’t miss a beat, even without reigning MVP Tracy Brooks, striking on the first play of the game with a 22-yard connection from Tyrie Adams to Ed Smith and never looking back.
Tre Griffin, who has done an excellent job filling in for the injured Brooks, looked unstoppable again, punching in two more scores as part of a run that put Salina up 35-0 at halftime.
On defense, the Liberty looked just as good, locking up the Asylum offense with two picks and a safety in the first half alone.
With a big lead and little to lose, Salina began experimenting with different personnel on both sides of the ball, giving Anthony Love a chance to run the offense, and Travis Taylor some touches in the backfield.
The test run was a resounding success as each would add a touchdown before the end of the contest.
“Travis is a guy that said he wanted to run the football and to get him three carries and a rushing touchdown was really cool to see,” Liberty HC Heron O’Neal said. “Seeing Anthony Love get some reps at quarterback was important for us as well.”
While the offense and defense put on a show, the special teams lagged behind just a bit and will remain the biggest focal point for Salina heading into week five.
“We had a couple of kickoffs that got away from us and we need to get that fixed up and be ready to go,” O’Neal said. “On kick return, we still aren’t taking anything to the house so we’ll look to make some corrections moving forward.”
The Liberty will return to the road next weekend for a Sunday game in Billings as Salina gets set to take on the Outlaws.