By Don Nelson
The Liberty Bell High School varsity football team put up more than 50 points once again in a 64-18 win at Pateros on Friday (Oct. 2).
The Mountain Lions are 3-1 this season — their first year as an eight-man squad — scoring 70 and 52 points respectively in earlier wins and falling only to Inchelium, 26-10.
The less-happy news was that senior starter Gavin Wengerd suffered a broken ankle and is out for the season, coach Steve White said. The coach said the field at Pateros was “rough” and may have contributed to Wengerd’s injury. “He’s a big part of the program and will be missed,” White said of Wengerd.
Quarterback Derek Alumbaugh again led the charge for the Mountain Lions, throwing one touchdown pass and running for four other scores, White said. His backup, Tanner White, also threw a scoring pass and ran for a touchdown. Jacob McMillan added a running touchdown, and Andrew Reggiatore and Quinton Knox grabbed scoring passes, White said.
On the defensive side, Owen Hedly picked off an interception for the second consecutive week, White said.
Near the halfway point in the inaugural eight-man season, coach White said the Mountain Lions “have progressed to where we hoped they would be.” The big wins have allowed Liberty Bell to use its younger players and give them valuable experience, White said.
“In most programs, freshmen stand on the sideline and watch,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate to play the younger kids.”
White said inexperience was a large factor in the Liberty Bell loss to Inchelium, as many Mountain Lion starters weren’t available and second-string players spent a lot of time on the field.
Liberty Bell will travel to Waterville on Friday (Oct. 9) for a 7 p.m. game. After a road trip to Yakama Nation on Oct. 16, the Mountain Lions finish the season with three consecutive home games.
