Cover photo: Langhorst Photography

The Blue Jays have braggin’ rights again in Liberty.

Liberty outlasted defending Missouri Class 6 champion and crosstown rival Liberty North, 12-7, on Friday night. The victory broke a six-game losing skid since the 2020 playoffs against the Eagles, who previously outscored LHS by a margin of 182-61 in the prior six meetings.

“This is just big for our guys and the school to get back on the winning side of things against your rival,” stated head coach Chad Frigon. “But also gets us back on the winning side of things this year, which is the main focus.”

Liberty North led 7-6 at halftime, but just barely. After a Liberty pass from the LN 20 from Connor Hatfield to Jax Froehlich fell short at the 1 with :40 left before intermission, the Eagles stuff Liberty not once, not twice, but three times at the 1 to preserve the lead.

Following a scoreless third period, Liberty took over at its own 1 with 10:29. From there, the Jays started out of their end zone with runs of 7 and 12 from Jackson Hicks to get out of the hole. The drive was aided thereafter by an offsides, a pass interference and an personal foul to get the Jays at the North 35.

Hicks continued his pounding on the ground before breaking loose for a 12-yard scamper off the inside left tackle and the 12-7 lead. The run capped a 12-play, 99-yard drive, including 50 rushing yards from the senior tailback.

“We kept with the ground game and the will of Jaxon and our line showed, from our own end zone until he finished in their end zone,” Frigon said.

The Jays held Liberty North again, forcing a punt with 3:10 left. But Liberty was able to run out the clock for the win.

Liberty North opened the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Tillman Martin to Landon Lunt in the left side of the end zone for 7-0 lead with 2:47 left in the first quarter.

But Hicks answered when the senior took a handoff at the 50, broke free up the middle and was untouched for the touchdown, and a 7-6 deficit. For the night, Hicks finished with 199 rushing yards.

Liberty will play host to Raytown South (1-1) next Friday, while Liberty North will entertain Lee’s Summit West (1-1).