HS Football: Liberty line ready to anchor a playoff run

The Raiders have several veteran lineman back led by Connor Acord

There was no hiding the anticipation surrounding Glen Daniel last year in regards to the Liberty football program.

Coming off of back-to-back 2-8 campaigns, a highly talented freshman class mixed with veterans that were forced to grow up in the heat of the Friday night battles, had coaches and fans excited.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, some key injuries early on changed the complexion of the season. On the positive side, however, Liberty did win three games and was on the cusp a few more.

Once again, optimism is high for the 2025 season.

"I think we have a good chance of making the playoffs this year. A lot of the young guys are now older. Our offensive line is older now too," senior right guard Connor Acord said. "I think we have a shot at it and I can see us going far in the playoffs this year."

With the skill players back and healthy, if Liberty does make a return to the playoff for the first time since 2021, the boys up front will surely be the key to that success.

"Antonio Bartoli was the only starter that we lost, but he was a really good player," Acord said. "I think the line will be the strength of the team. We are still working in the weight room and we have a chance to be really good. We also have some guys coming up from the middle school that are first year players too."

Including Acord, the Raiders will have six players in the trenches with game experience from this year.

"Alex Jarrell is beside me at right tackle and Logan Ellis is at center," Acord went on to say. Logan is a really good all-around player. Not sure who coach will be playing at left guard right now, but we have Jacob Akers, Ian Jenkins and Walker Smith. Those are the returning guys that we have back."

While the line has matured and developed into a cohesive group, Acord has been the anchor since he was a freshman in high school.

"As a freshman, he was the best kid we had out there, so he played,” Liberty head coach Mark Workman said. “He works hard and has been in the weight room, plus he wrestles. He gets after it and he is a hard worker.”

One of Acord's strongest leadership qualities has to do with his overall grasp of the offense and the ability to direct his fellow trench Warriors through moments of doubt.

Acord is also an accomplished wrestler having competed in the State Wrestling Tournament last March.

"It really helps you out with your hands and your feet," Acord said about wrestling. "Every football player should wrestle in my opinion."

The road to a possible playoff berth starts with a difficult home game against Doddridge County who has made the playoffs for eight straight seasons.

The showdown with the Bulldogs will be the first of three consecutive home games which includes a much improved PikeView team and Class A power Greenbrier West.