The 2026 version of Liberty Bell Football opens the season at home Friday night under the lights at Mountain Lion Stadium.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. as the Mountain Lions host the Meridian Trojans from the Bellingham area.
The Trojans open the season ranked 15th statewide in the 1A classification.
“They’re a good team,” noted Liberty Bell head coach Jeff Lidey.
Meridian’s problem is being in the same league with traditional powers Lynden Christian, Mount Baker and Nooksack Valley, all three earning berths in last year’s 16-team state championship tournament. The Trojans were the odd team out in their district.
The Mountain Lions were ranked at 9th in the latest VarsityWaNews Washington 2B poll, released on Sunday. Greyden Paz will be at the controls of the offense. Both teams can move the ball on offense, Meridian through the air; the Mountain Lions will probably run first and throw when needed. An exciting, high-scoring game is a possibility with these two teams.
The Liberty Bell Booster Club will have the concession stand open with a menu of snacks, beverages and Hometown Pizza by the slice for purchase. Katie’s Espresso in Winthrop will sponsor Halftime Trivia.
The Big Duck will be there for photo ops, and tickets for the annual Winthrop Kiwanis Labor Day Duck Race coming Monday will be available from Kiwanis members. Duck tickets cost $5 each. The Duck Race is one of the local club’s big fundraisers supporting activities and senior scholarships for Liberty Bell and Methow Valley Independent Learning Center students, as well as many other worthy activities and programs in the community.
