Redskin Goals Remain Lofty

Despite a 1-5 start, Liberal’s goal remains a district eight championship. The Redskins begin distict play tonight against 0-6 Valley Center. LHS senior cornerback Bryce Johnson says their goal is clear. “It’s a big game because it’s the first district game,” Johnson said. “We’re trying to win district and get a good district win.” Their opponents surely are not savoring a four hour bus ride to the “LK.” Valley Center’s average score this year is losing 46-10. Two of their opponents (Maize and Campus) have only one win but it came against the hapless Hornets. Valley doesn’t have a winning season since 2001 when they went 8-1. Visions of Brandon Clark and Blake Peason have long since passed but last year Liberal needed a Junior Lopez field goal to beat the Hornets 10-7 at Valley Center. Valley last visited Redskin Field in 1996 for a 24-0 sub-state loss one year after a 14-9 sub-state loss at the “Burial Grounds.” Liberal first year head coach Wade Standley’s focus is on Friday night’s game. He says his goals are high for the end of the season. “We’ve been looking forward to this all year long,” the former Tulsa Union defensive coordinator said. “Our goal all along has been to continually get better and play our best football when week seven gets here. I told the kids today (Thursday) each week from this point on we play for a district championship.”

The Redskins have advanced to the playoffs in 17 of the last 18 years. Redskin Pre-game begins Friday night at 6:00 pm with kickoff at 7:00 pm on Talkradio 1270 and kscb.net.