Dallas Cowboys legendary tight finish Jason Witten took the helm of Liberty Christian (Argyle, Texas) as head coach in 2021, seeking to enhance a program that simply got here off a 2-7 season. Two years later, the highschool is eyeing an undefeated season because it enters the semifinals with a file of 12-0.
Liberty Christian took down 9-2 Grace Neighborhood (Tyler, Texas) by a rating of 56-7 on Friday behind the operating of Chase Garnett, who had 95 speeding yards and 4 touchdowns on solely 9 carries (all within the first half), and a protection that held the robust Grace operating recreation to unfavorable yardage. Coming into the sport, Grace averaged almost 230 yards on the bottom per recreation, in keeping with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram; on Friday night time, the crew recorded unfavorable 39 yards.
With 12 wins on the 12 months, Liberty Christian has skilled a large turnaround since Witten’s first 12 months on the job, when the crew had its second two-win season in a row.
On the heels of these seasons, the crew was relegated from the Texas Affiliation of Non-public and Parochial Faculties (TAPPS) Division I to Div. II earlier than the 2022 season, in keeping with USA TODAY. The Warriors bounced again with 10 wins and reached the quarterfinals, setting the stage for the expansion this 12 months.
By way of the semifinals, the crew is averaging greater than 51 factors per recreation whereas permitting simply 4 factors per recreation. The protection has pitched 5 shutouts and allowed greater than 13 factors solely as soon as.
Each of Witten’s sons play vital roles on protection. In accordance with MaxPreps, junior linebacker C.J. Witten leads the crew in tackles and sacks. On the similar time, freshman defensive again Cooper Witten entered the sport over the weekend with 53 tackles, three blocked subject targets and two interceptions.
Witten talked to the Star-Telegram about C.J. in August, saying, “I’m not there to carry his hand, however on the similar time, it’s simply been very rewarding to see him develop and change into a pacesetter and acquire confidence.”
In accordance with USA TODAY, the win on Friday gave Liberty Christian essentially the most wins it has had in a season because it went 12-1 with a championship in 2007.
Up subsequent is a recreation vs. 9-2 All Saints (Fort Value, Texas). If the Warriors can take that, they’ll get previous the wins mark of that 2007 crew — however they received’t be happy except they will full the season with 14 wins and a trophy.
