Jake Fogerson, New Home defense power narrow win over Lubbock-Cooper Liberty football

NEW HOME — Jake Fogerson is filling big shoes for the New Home defense.

A depth guy in the secondary last year , the senior's role elevated after the graduation of two all-district first-teamers. If his debut is any indication, Fogerson will be the next standout safety.

Fogerson nabbed two interceptions in the opening half as the Leopards took a big lead. The advantage proved to be needed to hold off Lubbock-Cooper Liberty's late push. Playing in their first varsity football contest, the Patriots clawed their way within a point in the final minutes but missed the tying extra point.

Liberty got another try with 80 seconds to go, but New Home's defense closed the door on a 21-20 win at Leopard Field. The Leopards forced a game-sealing incompletion on fourth down, punctuating a night of stellar pass defense.

Jake Fogerson makes highlight interception to start

Fogerson doubles as a starting receiver, and he showed off his hands early.

On the Patriots' opening drive, Fogerson grabbed a one-handed interception in a crowded end zone to keep the game scoreless. His second pick set up New Home's second touchdown to go up 14-7.

"When he does his job, he's an extremely good defender," New Home coach Jon Ward said. "He's also a fantastic wide receiver. He's definitely a special kid. … He stepped into that safety role and was really big tonight."

In all the Leopards held Liberty quarterback Colton Bichard to 9-of-21 passing for 117 yards. Levi Walker had 55 of those yards on a dazzling TD catch. The junior took a slip screen and raced for the score, breaking multiple tackle attempts the final 20 yards.

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Caleb Cook, Colby Cook link up for big scores

New Home enjoyed a 21-7 halftime lead in part because of the Cook connection.

Caleb Cook found his brother, Colby, twice for explosive TD passes. The younger Cook broke away from his defender both times and showed off his speed.

Colby Cook, who averaged 50 yards per catch, accounted for 150 of 199 passing yards.

"I think it's that brother connection," Ward said. "They probably have been in the backyard since they could run, throwing and catching together. That kind of showed out here tonight. They have a special bond, and we're lucky to have them."

Liberty running game gets going

The Patriots got back in the game behind their ground game. The attack moved the ball and helped control time of possession in the second half.

Talon Wilcox, who scored the program's first TD, led the way with 72 yards, and Colin Chadwick grinded out 55.

It was an impressive output for a Liberty team that lacks overwhelming size in the trenches.

"This week coach (Barry) Newton challenged that offensive line," Patriots coach Joe Sexton said. "I think they responded pretty good. I was very happy with the way they played. I would say they're probably our MVP the way they took over the ballgame there for a little bit."

Sexton lamented not taking more advantage. In addition to Fogerson's end-zone interception, Liberty had two scoreless drives into the red zone. That included a fourth-down TD run wiped out by a holding penalty.

"I just told them there's nothing to hang their head on," Sexton said. "It was just a few mistakes here and there. We're gonna be in good shape."

NON-DISTRICT

New Home 21, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty 20

Liberty 0 7 0 13 — 20

New Home 7 14 0 0 — 21

SCORING SUMMARY

First quarter

NH — Colby Cook 64 pass from Caleb Cook (Kaden McDonald kick), 4:29

Second quarter

LIB — Talon Wilcox 2 run (Jackson Gonzales kick), 9:24

NH — Ryder Starkey 2 run (McDonald kick), 4:51

NH — Co. Cook 75 pass from Ca. Cook (McDonald kick), 0:15

Fourth quarter

LIB — Colton Bichard 5 run (Gonzales kick), 11:49

LIB — Levi Walker 55 pass from Bichard (kick failed), 2:38

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs: (L) 16; (NH) 10

Rushes-Yards: (L) 42-171; (NH) 26-15

Passing: (L) 117; (NH) 199

Comp-Att-Int: (L) 9-21-2; (NH) 11-20-0

Punts-Avg: (L) 1-31; (NH) 6-26.5

Fumbles-Lost: (L) 0-0; (NH) 1-0

Penalties-Yards: (L) 7-45; (NH) 3-36

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Liberty, Talon Wilcox 16-72, Colin Chadwick 15-55, Colton Bichard 7-31, Gavin McPherson 3-15, Jacob Key 1-(-2). New Home, Graham Stanford 10-37, Hunter Burrell 6-25, Ryder Starkey 1-2, Caleb Cook 5-(-16), Team 4-(-33).

PASSING: Liberty, Bichard 9-21-2—117. New Home, Cook 11-20-0—199.

RECEIVING: Liberty, Nash Gonzales 4-46, Levi Walker 3-68, Harrison Vitz 1-6, Will Hutson 1-(-3). New Home, Cooper Brown 4-17, Colby Cook 3-150, Jake Fogerson 2-20, Colt Keys 1-6, Parker Liles 1-6.

RECORDS: Lubbock-Cooper Liberty 0-1; New Home 1-0.

What's next?

Liberty travels to take on Idalou, a 25-21 winner over Sweetwater in Week 1. New Home will play at Ropes, which won 33-14 over Hale Center on Friday.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Jake Fogerson, New Home defense power narrow win over Lubbock-Cooper Liberty football