Liberty North moves onto a new league in 2016, but that may be bad news for the rest of the conference.

The Eagles shift to the Suburban Red division, which includes crosstown foe, Liberty. But Liberty North will be primed for the challenge, averaging over 8 wins in the last three campaigns.

“This will be a new conference for us,” stated head coach Ken Clemens, who is 39-30 as the program’s only coach. “We've played a couple of these teams each once the last two years.  I know it is a conference with a lot of teams who can score points. We expect to be in a tough game every week this year.”

However, it will be the non-conference foes that will really be a litmus test for Liberty North. The Eagles will face Staley (August 19), Park Hill (October 7) and defending Class 4 champion Kearney (Sept. 16) this year.

“Over the years, we've come accustomed to having probably the toughest schedule in the state at this level, (Fort Osage, Kearney, Blue Springs South, Park Hill and Staley each of the last two years), so this year is not new to us in that regard,” Clemens said. “We hope to develop our young kids fast, as we will be starting six or more underclassmen on each side of the ball and we start off with a great team in Staley.”

Liberty North (8-3 and Suburban Small 6 champs in 2015) do return a strong senior cast, especially up front. Four-year starter Daterraion Richardson, a 6-foot, 295-pound lineman starts on both sides of the line, where he’s already been named a two-time all-conference and all-district lineman.

Joining Richardson in the trenches will be Michael Neisler (6-0, 250), a fellow senior offensive and defensive lineman. Neisler was a unanimous all-conference selection on both sides in 2015, and a second-team Class 5 state selection on offense.

Senior Drew Geisert (6-2, 280) also starts both ways on the line, where he was an all-conference second-team offensive lineman in 2015.

The senior trio will help break open holes for senior Jon Redmond. The 5-9, 155-pounder dashed for 792 yards and eight touchdowns in 2015, en route to being tabbed on the all-conference and all-district teams. He’ll be joined by Chris Hampson, a 6-2, 200-pound junior who’ll played both fullback and tight end last year.

On the outside, Darious Taylor, a 5-8 155-pound senior, will line up at wide receiver. Senior Armand Baker (6-4, 220) will start at tight end.

Defensively, the senior trio of Richardson, Neisler and Geisert will anchor the line. Hampson and Baker will patrol at linebacker, where each saw time in 2015. Taylor, an all-conference selection at defensive back in 2015, and Redmond will lead the secondary.

“We have to stay healthy first and foremost,” Clemens stated. “This includes both the physical and mental aspects.  If our minds and bodies are right, we'll be a handful.”

View Liberty North’s 2016 football schedule