Defense and detail were the key factors in a major opening week showdown between defending Open Division champion Liberty and Desert Edge Friday night.
Both teams leaned on their front walls as two offenses with marquee talent but new starters at every skill position struggled to find a rhythm and stalled in the red zone.
Liberty took advantage of the Scorpions' lack of attention to detail for the night's only explosive play - a 56-yard touchdown run by senior Dominic Lombardo against only 10 men to start the second quarter.
From there, penalties and field position gave the visitors from Peoria an edge against a stout Scorpions defense. Liberty was not in danger but also could not pull away in a 22-0 win.
"They played for a state championship last year for a reason. They're a really good team and good program. All credit to them. We just have to play a little better," Liberty coach Colin Thomas said. "(Our defense has) a lot to live up to. The 2022 team had a really good defense. But this has a chance to be one of the best ones if we can be healthy. We probably cover better than some previous ones. Hudson and Paz are elite players and on fourth down it's not about scheme."
Junior defensive end Paz St. John, Colorado State-bound senior defensive end Caden Branston and elite junior outside linebacker Hudson Dunn were cornerstones of the 2023 title defense. Liberty unveiled how much stronger its foundations are this year.
Three transfers from Scottsdale Saguaro were eligible, started on defense and made an immediate impact. Junior safety Zeth Angel Thues' eligibility was known for a while, but senior defensive tackle Lajay Salas and junior cornerback Ty'Vel Calloway were not officially cleared until Wednesday.
"I definitely trust my offense to score some touchdowns," St. John said. "We knew (the Saguaro players) were playing a little bit before the game so the reps they were getting weren't as high. It's definitely very promising. We're definitely one of the top defenses out there."
Desert Edge's defense also was on the front foot for most of the night as the game settled into old school trench warfare. Both offenses struggled with timing in the passing games, and the talent of the opposing secondary.
Following its second quarter touchdown, Liberty got a quick defensive stop and set up a short field. Senior quarterback Hayden Fletcher connected on a rare vertical pass to senior Drace Wadlington, setting up Lombardo's two-yard touchdown run and a 13-0 lead.
"Each one of those scores can be attributed to a mistake we made and that's disappointing that we shot ourselves in the foot and I told the guys what it was going to take to be successful," Desert Edge coach Henri MacArthur said. "We can't be the reason for our downfall. And tonight it was too often defensively. That's my side of the ball so, the offense is going to get it together. In my mind it should have been 0-0 late."
It looked like the Lions migh put the hammer down. But the Scorpions' front six showed steely resistance in the red zone.
Liberty started its next drive at the Desert Edge 39 and worked the short zone with sophomore receiver Braxton Hunyh to get to the 13. Fletcher ran for four and on third down sophomore running back Jadon Sanchez gained five.
Desert Edge senior linebacker Joshua Hopphaus knifed into the Lions backfield to blow up a fourth and one run from the 4, throwing Lombardo for a two-yard loss.
"We stepped up to the plate a lot but we had self-inflicted issues. It's a long season and we're going to get it right," MacArthur said.
Penalties short circuited the home team's opening drive of the second half. A pair of personal fouls propelled the Lions to first and goal at the Scorpions' 7.
But the offense could not get closer than the 4. Senior linebacker Bryan Sims and freshman defensive end Jalanie George collapsed on Fletcher's designed draw, limiting him to yard on fourth and goal from the 5.
"The one in the third quarter, I probably should have been better there with some of the things I did," Thomas said. "We're a new team. The last two years we've been super aggressive. I've got to learn this team and we're their strengths and call the game a bit smarter."
Another Scorpions red zone stop led to a 36-yard field goal by senior kicker Karston Dombrovski late in the third quarter. Liberty led 16-0 entering the fourth.
Desert Edge earned another fourth down stop at its own 22 and finally found something on offense.
Senior quarterback Elijah Sherbin-Fox - another Saguaro transfer - scrambled for 11 yards and then 22 more. Sherbin-Fox rolled out and tossed a short screen to freshman running back Byron Brandon, who scooted for 25 yards.
Liberty responded with its own red zone stop, though a fourth and goal false start on the 4 certainly helped. Dunn sacked Sherbin-Fox on a wide rush to end the threat.
"Everybody on the offense is new and the offensive coordinator is new," MacArthur said. "They're going to get it together. I'm a defensive coach so tonight I take it on me. We're the ones with the more experience. E.J. showed a great amound of toughness tonight."
A Desert Edge penalty on Liberty's late fourth quarter punt and a 60-yard burst by junior Esteban Demby-Lamas, allowed Thomas to tinker further with his red zone offense.
Lombardo scored his third touchdown from two yards out in the final minute. The Scorpions blocked the final extra point.
"It takes a team, Every day we get better in the weight room and on the field," Lombardo said. "I trust my o-line with everything I've got."
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