WINCHESTER – In a decisive league match-up last Thursday night, the Liberty High School Bison faced off against a formidable (though not to be named as such) opponent in the Orange Vista Coyotes. The game ended in a resounding 35-0 victory for the Coyotes, marking a challenging night for the Bison on their home turf.
From the get-go, Orange Vista set the pace, showcasing their offensive skillset with two touchdowns in the first quarter, followed by another two in the second. Liberty struggled to keep up, finding themselves significantly behind by halftime. Despite the daunting scoreboard, the Bison’s spirits were momentarily lifted during the break, thanks to an inspiring talk from their head coach, Adam Contreras.
Reinvigorated, Liberty launched into the third quarter with determination. They managed to execute an eight-play drive covering 36 yards, placing them tantalizingly close to scoring territory. However, an interception right inside the Coyotes’ 10-yard line stopped them in their tracks. Not deterred, Liberty forced a punt in four plays, getting another shot at scoring. This time they reached field goal range within seven plays, but their 30-yard attempt narrowly missed, leaving them scoreless by the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter began with Orange Vista deep in the red zone. They wasted no time adding to their lead, scoring within the first five seconds and pushing their advantage to 35-0. The running clock accelerated the remainder of the game, but Liberty refused to go out without a final push. In their last effort, they advanced into the red zone, only to be thwarted by a quarterback sack as the game concluded.
Orange Vista’s offense was led by Khalil Abdul-aziz, who continues to demonstrate his versatility with 24.3 rushing yards per game, and formidable leadership on the field. Meanwhile, their defense, anchored by Dionte West with 5.7 tackles per game, kept Liberty’s efforts at bay.
Despite the tough season, Coach Contreras expressed pride in his team’s efforts on and off the field. Having joined a new league and with only two wins this season, the Bison have faced numerous challenges. Yet, with Contreras’ faith in their potential to overcome obstacles, Liberty continues to strive for success.
Currently, Liberty holds a 2-5 overall record, with a 0-2 standing in the Ivy League. Orange Vista, on the other hand, is 3-4 overall and shares the top spot in the league with Rancho Verde at 2-0. Both teams have three regular-season games remaining. Liberty will next face JW North, while Orange Vista hits the road to challenge Vista del Lago.
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