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The last time Andy Lierman and the Eagles walked off the football field after a game, it was holding the Missouri Class 6 state trophy.

Since then, the Eagles have collected their rings, put them away and wiped the slate clean for 2024.

“It was a pretty awesome feeling – we climbed the mountain and close many times, but finally got to the top and beat a CBC team that got us in years past,” recalled Lierman, 25-2 in his two previous seasons as head coach. “We passed the rings out this March, celebrated and did all of the fun things. The seniors put theirs on, and the rest of the players returning put the rings in the drawer and focused on this year.”

While there may be new faces on the field for the Eagles in 2024 after a senior-heavy class graduated, opponents will see the Liberty North on the uniform and mark the game on their calendars.

“We know we’ll having a target on our back. We saw that this summer and the reactions when teams made big plays against us,” Lierman recounted.

But even in reloading many starters, Liberty North’s success figures to be passed down to this year’s players after four straight trips to the Class 6 semifinals or beyond.

“The culture over the last several years has led to understanding what it takes to win,” Lierman said. “We may not have guys with the huge scholarships offers and big names as we did with two to four-year starters, but we have guys with playing experience and ready for their turn.”

Liberty North does still have a few big guns from last year, including senior quarterback Tillman Martin. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound senior threw for over 2,500 yards and was named first-team all-Missouri Class 6.

In addition to making plays on the field, what Martin has brought as intangibles is just as big for Liberty North.

“Tillman’s one of the top leaders on the team. As a junior, he was surrounded by good players to take the pressure off of him and develop. But he saw the hard work it took by those players and what’s needed to play at the next level. He’s really stepped into that role, put on 20-25 pound and is bigger, stronger, faster.

“In turn, he’s taken the younger kids and shown them what it takes. That’s the biggest step for me is Tillman showing the younger guys how to work and bringing them along,” touted Lierman.

Martin will have four new targets on the outside at receiver this year in seniors Jack Dayton (6-foot-2, 190), Hayden Gist (6-foot-2, 185), Terrieck Gregory (5-foot-10, 180) and junior Trashundon Neal (6-foot-2, 170).

“They didn’t get a lot of varsity playing time, but they’ve been running routes against some of the best defensive dudes in the state the last couple of years, and getting extra reps with the extra postseason weeks on scout team,” Lierman stated.

Running back also will be a fresh new list of names on the depth chart with senior River Therrien (5-foot-9, 180) and juniors Matthew Barber (5-foot-8, 180) and Zemar Cheatam (5-foot-10, 180).

“All three are about the same dimensions and are very good back that will equate to a three-headed monster,” Lierman said.

The offensive line will led by senior right guard Motie Williams (6-foot-3, 275), an all-Missouri Class 6 first-team selection last year. Also returning at left tackle is senior Nick Breit (6-foot-3, 285), who played as the sixth lineman a year ago.

“Both are really good offensive lineman and physical players who will be playing collegiately next year,” Lierman stated.

Joining the duo in the offensive front will be seniors Mason Tavares (6-foot-3, 290), Brandon Steiger (6-foot-3, 310), Ben Henson (6-foot-2, 225) and Colin Dymond (6-0, 215) along with juniors Brock Sumler (6-foot-4, 280), Konnor Perks (6-foot-4, 250) and Luke Dale (6-foot-2, 260).

“We have a chance to have one of the biggest offensive lines since I’ve been on the staff at Liberty North,” Lierman touted. “We could be 6-foot-2, 260 to 270 pounds across the board.”

Also blocking or catching balls will be senior tight ends Landon Lung (6-foot-2, 215) and Ryne Jensen (6-foot-5, 230).

“We have  some potential to be pretty darn good offensively,” Lierman predicted. “Sure we have some new pieces and guys without much experience. But we feel good about our offensive line and quarterback.

“We have a bunch of guys who can make a name for themselves as well as good depth. We just need to play on Friday nights and get the jitters out. We don’t know if we’ll be run-heavy, pass-heavy or balanced. We have a chance to be any of those.”

The Eagles return a little more on defense with five returners, led by senior Ryan Hutson (6-0, 215) at linebacker – a third-team Missouri Class 6 selection and starter since his freshman season.

Fellow senior Silvio Battaglia (6-0, 195) and sophomores Trey Newman (6-foot-1, 180) and Nico Hendrix (6-foot-2, 210) also will man linebacker.

Jensen and junior Derrick Davis (6-foot-2, 200) will bolster the line at defensive end, while senior nose guard Jordan Ivy (6-0, 275) and junior Christian Wood (6-foot-2, 260) also will clog the middle.

“We feel pretty good about out front seven and have a chance to be salty,” Lierman stated “They’re athletic and physical and worked really hard this summer.”

Returning senior free safety Jhordan Strawn (6-0, 185) joins Cheatam and senior Rowan Bray (5-foot-10, 170) at safety, while cornerbacks will be manned by Neal and seniors Easton Goss (5-foot-11, 180) and Josef Madera (6-0, 175).

“We feel like the guys in the secondary can be pretty good and can play man or zone, and its good to have guys that can do that.”

Another weapon for Liberty North will be senior Bleu Renfoe at kicker, who was picked first-team all-state at the position.

“Our goal is the standard that we set and that’s to go deep every year in the playoffs and get another opportunity at the state title,” Lierman concluded. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint in the Suburban Gold, then you have to go through those teams again in the playoffs. We’re really focused on our team this year, and not worried about what happened last year, or where everyone thinks we should be. We look to stack good days on good days and be ready by the playoffs again.”