2024 HS Football Previews: Liberal Bulldogs

While some schools are beginning their 2024 practice regiment, the Liberal Bulldogs are in week two of their preseason preparations.

The 8-man team will have a completely different look in 2024, with six new starters on both sides of the ball.

Head coach Garrett Zoucha enters his fourth year leading the program, and he views the team’s youth as a positive entering a new season.

“These guys have never really been put in the role of having to be leaders,” Zoucha said. “So I think the big thing for this group in terms of chemistry is how they want to identify themselves. And we’re seeing the leadership, we’re seeing the good camaraderie and things like that. And I mean, it’s an overused word, but the Brotherhood.”

Zoucha also mentioned that despite having losing 75% of his starters from a season ago, his group will retain the same identity of a run-first offense and a tough, physical defense.

In order to improve upon a 4-7 record from a season ago, the senior leaders of the team believe working together as a unit is the key to success.

“We are a group as one, and we’ve got to work together,” said Kole Wyles, senior offensive and defensive lineman. “We’re not just a single guy out there. There’s eight on eight, not one, so we’ve got to be a team.”

Liberal kicks off the 2024 regular season on Friday, August 30 with a matchup against Drexel/Miami at 7 p.m.

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