By Chris Parker
Liberty (Mountain View) football went 9-3 last season and returns 15 total starters this season.
The offseason has been a strong one for the Eagles.
“These guys have really taken our offseason training to another level,” Liberty head coach Jansen Acklin said. “I think that shows how much they’ve bought into the program and the camaraderie this team has. They have the “want” to put in the work it takes to be great and that’s hard to get a group of kids to do. I think that’s something that every team strives to have, and we hope to see it come to light in big moments for us this season.”
Seven starters return on offense, but one key player will be in a new position. Parker Tune was the area’s second-leading receiver last season with 75 catches for 1,186 yards and 12 touchdowns. He earned second-team all-state honors at wide receiver.
This season, he moves to quarterback.
“The move to quarterback is something he’s been preparing for since his freshman year,” Acklin said. “He understands the offense at a higher level after playing wide receiver these last few years. I think with the help of his teammates around him, he’s poised to have a special senior season as the leader of our offense.”
Reed Tune, Wyatt Cox and Dennis Bond will join Parker Tune in the backfield and see carries.
Kyle Roberts, Eddie Rodriguez, Brayden Mays, Tytus Jester, Jasper Melby, Paxton Hunter, Roger Haeffner, Easton Smotherman and Liam Greer are all options at receiver.
Up front, Matt Bushong will lead the offensive and defensive lines coming off a first-team all-conference selection on the offensive line.
“His experience will be very valuable to us. He’s the leader of our offensive line and defensive line unit this season,” Acklin said. “He does his job with 100% effort every play and leads by example. He’s the type of player every coach loves to have as not only a leader on the field, but off of it as well.”
Hayden Oziah, Tucker Thomas, Lukas Carl, Preston Smothers all have multiple starts on their resumes and return to the offensive line. Matt Brooks, Kaden Day-Garner, Brian Thompson and Blake Hendricks will also compete for varsity time on the offensive line.
On the defensive line, Preston Smothers earned first-team all-conference honors as a sophomore.
“He’s a hardworking kid that had great leaders around him the last few years. He’s a very physical player that is constantly making big plays for us,” Acklin said. “He took his offseason training to another level and it’s shown so far this summer.”
Bushong and Oziah also return to the defensive line with 2024 postseason accolades. Thomas, Day-Garner, Thompson, Brooks and Hunter are all players who will see time there as well.
Reed Tune was another sophomore who earned defensive first-team all-conference honors for the Eagles last season. He is a linebacker.
“He’s very competitive and plays with high intensity,” Acklin said. “He’s hungry to make the tackle every snap no matter where the ball is. We’re blessed to have him back leading our defense as our middle linebacker this season.”
Rutledge also returns at linebacker.
“Jaren Rutledge is our other starter with a ton of experience and post season accolades as well,” Acklin said. “He’s been a Friday night player since his freshman season, and we expect that experience to lead to some great things from him on both sides of the ball this year.”
Cox and Bond could also see time at linebacker.
The secondary returns all-conference and all-district defensive back Kyle Roberts. He will see time all over the secondary.
“He’s going to be the leader of our secondary this year. He’ll line up all over the field depending on our opponent that week,” Acklin said. “He’s very coachable and fundamentally sound. His work ethic is something his teammates and coaches have admired his whole career. He’s developed into a special player for us and is poised for a big senior season.”
Parker Tune, Rodriguez, Mays, Jester and Melby will see time in the rotation in the secondary.
“(We want to) be fast, be physical, and swarm to the football every single play,” Acklin said. “Focus on doing your job at 100% effort every snap.”
Liberty travels to Sarcoxie for a jamboree on Aug. 22 with the host Bears, Clever, Stockton, Ash Grove and Hollister. The Eagles open the regular season on Aug. 29 at Strafford.
“(We want to be) a team of selfless individuals who give maximum effort every play,” Acklin said. “Competing with discipline and grit for four quarters every single week and staying together through the ups and downs of the season. Wins are always the outcome you strive for, but the foundation and culture of the team is just as important. We’re all really excited to get the season going and see what this team is able to accomplish.”
