Liberty North Eagles 2023 football preview
LIBERTY, Mo. —
LIBERTY NORTH EAGLES
Class: 6
Head Coach: Andy Lierman (2nd season as head coach.)
Conference: Gold Division of the Suburban Conference
2022 Record: 6-0 in Conference (Conference Champs), 13-1 Overall (District Champs & State Semi-Finalist)
2022 Scoring: Offense 33 PPG Defense 11 PPG
Returning Starters: Offense 6 Defense 5
The 2022 Eagles had their second highest-scoring team offense in the past decade, at 33 points per game. They stormed through last season, dominating opponents with a lights-out defense that gave up only 11 points per game on their way to the Class 6 semifinals. The Eagles lost a host of players from last season that are now on college rosters: Blake Craig (Mizzou), Javon Smith (West Point), Sam Van Dyne (Washburn), Calen Presser (Arkansas State), Branden Miller (UCM), Kaden Durso (UCM), Eric Henkel (UCM), Xavier Horn (NWSU) and Bernard Sosoatu (Missouri Valley.)
Eagle Nation will see a re-loaded and determined team in 2023, looking for another state run.
“Obviously, we’ve lost some pieces,” says head coach Andy Lierman. “We had the number one defense in Class 6 last year. But we got some players back. So it might look a little different. But I think we do well as a program in developing kids. We take a lot of pride in that. We’ve got some young guys that are really stepping up. As a coaching staff, we feel confident we can get those guys where they need to be.”
One huge piece of this team that is back again for his fourth year as a starting linebacker will be Melvin Laster. The 6-foot 3, 230-pound senior is the two-time Class 6 Defensive Player of the Year. The UNLV commit has won two Buck Buchanan Awards, which go to the best lineman or linebacker in the Kansas City metro area. He finished the 2022 season with 83 tackles, fourteen for a loss, and four sacks. Laster was also the Defensive Player of the Year for the Suburban Gold Conference.
“I look forward to seeing him flourish again this year and making more plays than he ever has,” says Lierman. “I’m just excited to see his production on the field. He’s the leader of that group. Everybody looks to him, and they should. It will be a lot of fun watching him run around making plays. You know, in November or December, I’ll probably be sad. But I tell you, we will enjoy every minute of having Melvin Laster as an Eagle.”
Laster is one of many highly recruited players on the Eagles squad returning this year. In fact, the Eagles have five of the highest-ranked college recruits in the Kansas City area, including receiver Keelan Smith, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, who has committed to Nebraska. Darius Pahmahmie, 6-foot-2, 260-pound lineman, committed to UNLV, and transfer Jacorey Love, 5-foot-10, 190 pounds, running back, who moved from Center High School last year. Liberty North Edge, Jayshawn Ross, 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, has over twenty Division 1 college offers. This team has some dudes that can produce.
“Being part of this Eagle program is the greatest thing ever,” says Keelan Smith. “It is a great organization, school, and community.
“Our goal this year is to win state, not just go to state. I’m still not satisfied with where we ended up. I feel like this year, more than my last two years, this team is tighter than ever, and we’re working well together right now,” continues Smith. “The coach is in his second year, but it feels like he’s been here for ten years. Just being with the guys is great. I’m excited for the season to start so everyone can see what we’re about.”
Some players to watch, include senior offensive linemen Braden Gifford and Manny Conley, running back Micah Barnett, and defensive back Trey Snyder. State heavyweight wrestling champ, junior Motie Williams, will play on the line.
The talented junior Tillman Martin will take over the quarterback position. The 6-foot-4 190-pounder takes over a place held by two-time all-state QB, Sam Van Dyne.
“Tillman had an incredible summer,” says coach Lierman. “He’s been working extremely hard to build rapport with those wide receivers. He has some major weapons to use right out of the gate. We are just excited to see him go out and compete. He’s got an incredible background playing quarterback, and he’s done a lot of that during his time in football. He can do some things that a junior may not normally do. Tillman understands the game of football and the defenses he is facing. He is going to have to go out and produce. We are going to rely on those guys around him to help him get that done.”
“I think the ultimate goal hasn’t been accomplished yet. And I think the players understand where we want to be at the end of the season,” says Lierman. “I am super excited about these guys being humble and working hard every day. We have a good group of leaders that have done a good job. They understand the expectations.”
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