Liberty-Benton goes up big early, routs McComb

FINDLAY – Liberty-Benton coach Scott Garlock said that his team wanted to treat the first three games of the season – contests against Ottawa-Glandorf, Columbus Grove and McComb – as a "mini playoff run." "Those are three good football programs, we've had good battles with all of them in the past," Garlock said. "We knew we were gonna have to bring it all three games, and our kids have responded." Have they ever. After outscoring O-G and Columbus Grove a combined 76-3 in their first two games, the Eagles opened Blanchard Valley Conference play Friday by scoring five first quarter touchdowns in routing McComb, 52-9. Liberty-Benton's Connor Barbara had an interception on McComb's second offensive play from scrimmage, and returned 32-yards to the end zone. After McComb went three-and-out on its second offensive possession, Zach Elchert fielded the Panther punt at the 35 and returned that to the end zone. It was 14-0, and the L-B hadn't even run an offensive play. "Our quarterback (Grady Schroeder) goes out, second play, with a bloody nose," said McComb coach Kris Alge, "and we just kept bleeding from there." It was Elchert's first touchdown on a punt return this season. Later, Barbara – the team's quarterback – connected with him on touchdown passes of 37 and 44 yards. Elchert, who has committed to play football at the University of Toledo, caught five passes for 96 yards. He also intercepted Schroeder on defense. But it wasn't just Elchert Friday. Barbara had a rushing TD, and connected with Karson Griffin on a 34-yard score. Barbara completed 8 of 10 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns through the air. He also was L-B's leading rusher, with four carries for 54 yards. Reid Irwin had an interception on defense, Austin Collert added a 3-yard rushing touchdown and Jairo Colina kicked a 27-yard field goal on the final play of the first half. By that point, Liberty-Benton led 52-0. "It was a great team effort," Garlock said. "I was telling the radio earlier this week how much they like each other. Nobody cares about who gets the credit, we just want to win, we want to keep getting better and see where we are at the end of the year." Liberty-Benton pulled its starters at halftime. "Sometimes you run into these giant mountains, and tonight was one," said Alge, whose team dropped to 1-2. "But you know what? It's over, move on. We've got Arcadia next week." McComb's defense broke the shutout by recording a safety on the last play of the third quarter. In the fourth, the Panthers' Kahle Drown scored on a 24-yard touchdown run. Liberty-Benton – which hosts Riverdale next week -- played most of the game without running back/linebacker Zach Elchert, who was injured in an early series and did not return. That was about the only bad news for L-B Friday. "Kids were just making plays on both sides of the football, and you can't ask for anything more," Garlock said. McComb 0 0 2 7 -- 9 Liberty-Benton 35 17 0 0 -- 52 FIRST QUARTER L-B -- Connor Barbara 32 interception return (Jairo Colina kick) L-B -- Seth Elchert 35 punt return (Colina kick) L-B -- Austin Collert 3 run (Colina kick) L-B -- Elchert 37 pass from Barbara (Colina kick) L-B -- Barbara 1 run (Colina kick) SECOND QUARTER L-B -- Elchert 44 pass from Barbara (Colina kick) L-B -- Karson Griffin 34 pass from Barbara (Colina kick) L-B -- Colina 27 field goal THIRD QUARTER McC -- TEAM SAFETY McC -- Kahle Drown 24 run (Luke Kern kick)