Cover photo: Eric Langhorst

There will be a new Missouri Class 6 state champion.

After snapping a six-game losing skid to its crosstown rival earlier this season, Liberty picked a great time to start its own streak. The Blue Jays won its second game this year over Liberty North, 13-10, on Friday night at LHS.

Senior tailback Jaxon Hicks led the way with 169 rushing yards, while Connor Hatfield added 71 on the ground. Hicks scored the game-winning touchdown with 10:35 left, breaking loose for a16-yard score and the 13-10 margin. For the season, Hicks now has racked up 1,990 rushing yards and 25 total touchdowns.

Liberty (7-3) got on the board first on a Masen Bindel two-yard run with 4:54 left in the first period for a 7-0 lead. The score remained the same until Liberty North quarterback Tillman Martin connected with Trashundon Neal for a 48-yard touchdown strike to tie the game at the start of the third quarter. Then later in the period, Blue Renfrow connected on a 29-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead with 3:15 remaining in the third.

Martin finished with 180 passing yards, while Neal hauled in six receptions for 90 yards, as Liberty North – which won the 2023 state title - concludes the season at 6-4.

Liberty, No. 20 in the 810 Varsity Top 25, will travel to face No. 10 Blue Springs South in the Missouri Class 6, District 7 final next Friday.