2024 preview of the Liberty Blue Jays football team
LIBERTY, Mo. —
Class: 6
Head Coach: Chad Frigon (14th season as head coach)
Conference: Silver Division of the Suburban Conference
2023 Record: 4-1, Conference, 7-4 Overall
2023 Scoring: Offense 20.5 PPG Defense 20.5 PPG
Returning Starters: Offense: 8 Defense: 10
As is the case every year, the Jays have a group of outstanding players who have graduated, including multi-time and multi-sport all-state athlete Dominic Revels (SEMO), Kyler Craigg (William Jewell), and quarterback Christian Kuchta (State Fair) for baseball.
The 2024 Blue Machine is on the rise after an impressive performance down the stretch last year. With a talented roster full of young and accomplished players, they are set to keep climbing. They will be some tough hombres this Fall, with the return of 17 All-Conference players as well as ample depth across the position groups. It is going to be a thrilling season ahead!
“Last year we had so many young and new faces,” says Jays’ Head Football Coach, Chad Frigon, “From the experience they gained last year, I see our kids playing with more confidence now. There were good things accomplished last season, but it was nowhere near what we wanted to accomplish. We have to build on what we did last year.”
Taking over at the quarterback will be 6-foot-1, 180-pound multi-sport athlete Connor Hatfield, who emerged as the top arm in summer training. The baseball pitcher can sling it and is the second-fastest player on the team—a real dual threat.
The Bindel brothers will dominate the trenches for their final Jay’s season: senior Trevor Bindel, a 6-foot-5, 295-pound lineman who was All-State, First-Team All-Conference, and All-District. Brother Trenton Bindel, a 6-foot-2, 295-pound senior lineman, was also First-Team All-Conference and All-District—an all-state heavyweight wrestler on the state-champion Blue Jays wrestling squad. But wait, another Bindel brother, Masen (a sophomore), will make up the third family member starting on offense for the Jays.
The Jays team is loaded with multi-sport athletes, and coach Frigon likes it that way.
“We have fed from our wrestlers. It has been a blessing to have that program and how well we work together with them,” says Frigon.
One of those outstanding wrestlers is Isaiah Hung, a senior linebacker. The 6-foot-1 210-pounder recently committed to play football for South Dakota State. He was the Class 5 state wrestling champion at 215 last year.
Another multi-sport athlete is all-state baseball player, junior Hank Blackburn, who will be working in at receiver and corner.
“He’s just one of those kids that’s so athletic and, um, can go get the ball whether he’s catching it or intercepting it and, um, and fast and just wanted, we’re excited about him,” says Frigon.
Senior all-conference returners this season include linemen Trevor Bindel and Trenton Bendel, running back Jaxon Hicks, linebacker Isaiah Hung, defensive-back Jack Homoly, tight-end Jackson Froehlich, wide-receiver Kale Mortimer, and defensive back Preston Franklin.
Junior all-conference players returning for 2024 include linemen Cannon Martin, George Richter, Trey Endsley, and Jonathon Pearcy; Linebackers Brooks Ragland and Grady Coppinger; defensive backs Logan Sutton and Deacon Price; and running back Andrew Olson.
The Jays have had a great summer training time and competed at summer team camp at Washburn University.
“It gives a chance to match up against teams we never see. “It gives us a different look at some things and allows us to go out there and work on some things without worrying about it being somebody we’re to see multiple times during the fall.”
“We are getting closer to where we want to be. We will keep striving to get better each week.”
The Fall 2024 version of the Jays promises to be a team to watch. With an impressive blend of athletic talent and experience on the field, expectations are high for their playoff performance. The team’s potential is undeniable, and fans can anticipate great things when the Jays charge into the postseason in October.
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