Patriots’ record has lone blemish
September 30, 2015
NEW — 2:27 p.m. Sept. 30, 2015
An overtime loss is the only blemish on the Liberty High School football team’s near-perfect record so far.
The Patriots are 3-1 to start the year, with five regular-season games still to be played, including matchups against Bellevue and Mount Si.
By Greg Farrar
Joseph Cunningham (right), Liberty High School senior running back, slips past Hazen sophomore safety Jaeger Scheppe (7) to the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown run during the third quarter of their Sept. 11 football game.
Liberty began the season with a 14-6 win over Lakewood in a game that will be remembered as the debut of junior defensive end Mikey Walter. Prior to Sept. 4, Walter never played a down of high-school football. Read more
Inexperienced Patriots to rely on ‘grit’ in 2015
September 1, 2015
NEW — 3:18 p.m. Sept. 1, 2015
Just before the Liberty High School football team hit the locker rooms after a sun-soaked Aug. 21 practice, they gathered in an end zone and knelt on one knee.
“It’s time for ‘Spotlight on a Champion,’” Liberty coach Steve Valach announced. He asked for nominees and the players quickly identified a teammate. Once chosen, Valach ushered him to the front and put his arm around him.
By Christina Corrales-Toy
A Nate Solly pass slips through the fingers of Liberty High School senior running back Max Batali at an Aug. 21 football practice at Liberty High School.
One by one, players and coaches threw out words such as “inspiring” and “hardworking.” They highlighted the best in the spotlighted champion’s character and made sure he heard it.“What do you know about this guy that has nothing to do with football?” he asked his team. Read more
Liberty girls run to trophy finish
June 4, 2015
Liberty High School’s girls track and field team made its mark at the Class 2A state championships last week, earning the fourth-place trophy with 42 points.
By Greg Farrar
Carlyn Schmidgall (right), Liberty High School junior, races neck and neck in the final turn against Alexa Shindruk, of Lynden, in the 2A 3,200-meter championship May 30 in Tacoma.
Patriots prepare for playoffs despite 35-17 loss to Wildcats
November 7, 2014
The Liberty High School Patriots fell to the Mount Si Wildcats, 35-17, in a game that dropped Liberty’s season record to 6-3. The game on Halloween, Oct. 31, was the final game of the regular season before Liberty heads into the 2A playoffs to face Fife on Nov. 7.
“It’s disappointing because it felt like we were in the game and we could win,” head coach Steve Valach said.
The Patriots scored first blood against the Wildcats with a touchdown run from junior running back Joe Cunningham in the first quarter. The touchdown came after an interception thrown by Mount Si quarterback Jonathan Hillel. The early touchdown was the only time Liberty had the lead. Later in the first quarter, Hillel punched through on a quarterback keeper to tie the game. Read more
Patriots ready to make the jump to 2A
August 29, 2014
By Greg Farrar
Liberty High School offensive players huddle to hear the call on the next play from scrimmage June 17 during the final spring practice for the Patriots.
As the Liberty High School football team took to the gridiron for fall practices, not much looked different on the Patriots’ field. Read more
Liberty track brings home medals
June 5, 2014
By Greg Farrar
Cherelle Demps (left), Liberty High School junior, anchors the 4×100 relay race after taking the baton from twin sister Danielle in the state 3A championships May 31.
