EC Glass gets hard fought win in tough 13-6 battle with Liberty
Liberty High School, Bedford, VA –
The Minutemen of Liberty Bedford are always a formidable foe for visiting football teams. This game Friday night with EC Glass proved no different. In a contest that was highlighted by hard hitting and defense as much as anything, both teams kept the opposing club’s offense off balance. At halftime it was scoreless, as the Hilltoppers best chance to score, a field goal, was blocked. While Liberty’s best chance was also a field goal just before half. It came up short. 
EC Glass edged Liberty 13-6 at night’s end, but the game really wasn’t decided until the final snaps.
First Half –
This game was a physical battle make not mistake about it. Liberty runs the ‘Maryland I’ on offense which means they are going to be running down hill, at you all night. Glass was up to the challenge, and the Hilltoppers enthusiasm mirrored Coach Jeff Woody’s coaching style.
Liberty LB 52 Deven Blackston zeroes in on Glass WR 5 Marty Kittrell
The first half was a scoreless tie. Most of the first half was played in the middle of the field. The punters for both teams got a workout. EC Glass benefitted from a short punt by the Minutemen on their second series.
The EC Glass bottles up Liberty QB 10 Tanner Stanley on a running play
Starting at Liberty’s twenty three yardline, The Hilltoppers looked to make hay. The home team Minutemen would bend, but not break. MLB 52 Deven Blackston was a man who wouldn’t be blocked all night long. After giving up one first down to the eight yardline, Liberty dug in. DB/RB 9 Garrett Whorley deflected EC Glass QB 16 George White’s pass and Glass was forced to attempt a 25-yard field goal. Liberty promptly answered with a blocked field goal. DB 9 Whorley, playing tight man to man, deflected a number of Glass passes on the night.
The Minutemen’s best shot at points was also a field goal try. It came on the last play of the half. Liberty moved the ball down to the 19-yard line for a 36-yard attempt. It came up short and the half ended scoreless.
Glass RB/DB 21 Markevus Graves nearly picks on a Minuteman pass
Third Quarter –
Both teams opening drives of the second half didn’t produce a lot of yards and ended in punts. EC Glass finally changed that story on their next second half drive. It took seven plays for the Hilltoppers to open up the night’s scoring. The drive covered 65-yards and was finished off on fourth and goal from the one yard line.
Hilltopper QB 16 George White looks downfield for a receiver
RB 21 Markevus Graves followed up a tough, hardnosed nine yard run to get them there, with a one yard blast for six points. RB 7 Brandon Pearson had a big 30-yard dash to keep the drive moving in the right direction and led to the points. K 99 Tyler Garrett’s point after made it 7-0 at the 3:27 mark. The third ended with Glass up 7-0.
Fourth Quarter –
Liberty fought back in the fourth. Working that “Maryland I” offense, Coach Chris Watt’s club went to work. RB 9 Garrett Whorley took a handoff off up the middle and was gone. Seventy-six yards later, the Minutemen were within a point of tying it.
Liberty RB/DB 9 Garrett Whorley breaks a long TD run
Liberty came on for the point after kick, but Glass jumped offsides. That moved the ball to the one and a half yard line and Liberty Coach Chris Watts thought about it and then made the call to go for two. Glass’ defense was up to the challenge and denied Liberty from taking the lead. Coach Jeff Woody’s defense had held and led 7-6.
The EC Glass defense stops Liberty on their two point try in the fourth quarter
The Hilltoppers added some insurance on their very next play from scrimmage. After the ensuing onside kick was unsuccessful for Liberty, RB 21 Graves took the first down handoff and refused to go down.
RB 21 Markevus Graves breaks a long scoring run for the Hilltoppers in the fourth quarter
Graves broke a number of tackles, and thirty-eight yards later, found the endzone. The extra point was no good, leaving Glass with a touchdown and extra point lead, 13-6. Liberty had three more chances with the ball but just couldn’t solve the Hilltopper defense. Glass moves to 1-1 with the 13-6 win and Liberty is now 0-3.
EC Glass heads home next week to take on Amherst County at City Stadium. Liberty Bedford will go on the road to take on the other area Liberty – Liberty Christian. – Cap’n Crunch
Offense:
Rushing– EC Glass – Graves 8/61, 2TDs, Pearson 9-45, Barbour 6-14, White 3-(-13), Team 2-(-10)
Liberty – Whorley 19-131, TD, Gilmore 13-50, Ingram 1-23, McIlhany 1-7, Evans 1-6, Stanley 6-0, Steele 1-(-1)
Passing– EC Glass – White 8-22, 48
Liberty – Stanley 3/19, 23
Receiving– EC Glass – Kittrell 3-29, Wood 2-21, Gilbert 2-5, Barbour 1-(-7)
Liberty– McIlhany 2-15, Whorley 1-8
Punting– EC Glass – Garrett 6-34 yd avg Liberty– Whorley 4-15 yd avg
Scoring:
- ECG: Graves 1-yd TD run; Garrett PAT
- LIB: Whorley 76-yd TD run; 2-pt try failed
- ECG: Graves 38-yd TD run; Garrett PAT no good
