Undeafeated Patriots down Interlake, eye Bellevue next
October 20, 2009
By Bob Taylor
The contest Liberty High School’s football team has marked on its calendar since the start of the season is finally here. The unbeaten Patriots, off to their best season in years, host defending 3A state champion Bellevue at 7 p.m. Oct. 23.
“Certainly, Bellevue has been the team to beat in recent years, and it has earned the right,” Liberty coach Steve Valach said.
Liberty and Bellevue enter the contest tied for first place in 3A KingCo Conference with 4-0 records. The Patriots are 7-0 overall; Bellevue is 5-2.
However, Bellevue’s losses came from two of the nation’s top teams — Katy, Texas, 35-17, and Grant, of Sacramento, Calif., 14-0. Since the loss to Grant, Bellevue has won four straight games and is ranked second in The Seattle Times’ poll; Liberty is ranked third.
The Patriots come off a 38-14 victory against Interlake Oct. 16 while Bellevue rolled by Juanita 50-7.
Liberty, after a tight first half when it led just 17-14, pulled away in the second half against the host Saints.
“I was really happy with the way our defense played. Our offense had some hiccups in the first half, but played much better in the second half,” Valach said.
Chandler Jenkins and Tei Staladi each scored two touchdowns for Liberty. Jenkins scored both touchdowns in the second quarter, catching a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trey Wheeler and running 8 yards for the other score.
Jenkins finished the game as Liberty’s leading rusher with 85 yards on 11 carries, and top receiver with six catches for 64 yards. He also returned a kickoff for 22 yards.
Staladi, who ended the game with 59 yards on eight carries, ran 16 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, and 3 yards for a touchdown in the final period. Jake Bainton capped the Patriots’ scoring by returning an interception 26 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown.
“I’m certainly happy with the result, but we have to get better, to keep sharpening the ax, and keep improving,” Valach said.
It definitely has to be sharp against Bellevue.
“It’s the same kind of Bellevue team — very good on defense and they run the wing-t on offense better than anyone in the nation,” Valach said.
He noted that Bellevue is passing the ball more this season. Bellevue quarterback Kendrick Van Ackeran has thrown four touchdown passes.
“When you play Bellevue, it’s always a huge challenge,” Valach said.
Bob Taylor: 392-6434, ext. 236, or bobtaylor@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.
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