By Chris Parker
Liberal football finished 2-9 last season. The Bulldogs return five offensive and four defensive starters this season.
Quarterback Elam Beaman is back for his senior season. He threw for 1,019 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Beaman added 85 carries for 337 yards and four touchdowns.
Maddox Miller had a strong sophomore season at running back taking 147 carries for 801 yards and 13 touchdowns in nine games.
Ben Dingman is the top returning receiver with 24 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns last season. He will be joined by Cody Suschnick, Aaron Stanfield and Degan Swarnes at wide receiver.
Kadin Lemmons, Hector Cruz and Kaidon Simpson will be up front on the offensive line.
“This group will led by returners Elam (Beaman), Maddox (Miller) and (Ben) Dingman,” Liberal head coach Garrett Zoucha said. “All three are a part of state placing 4×1. We should have decent speed at all three levels. We are looking for a steady run game with Elam and Maddox. Maddox and Elam have both put on weight and look to take bigger roles in our offense running the ball. Taking shots downfield when opportunities present themselves to Ben and company. Cody should provide opportunities in screen game, being very quick. Hector and Simpson are taking roles on the line this year and have been used to touching the ball more in the past. They are going to be quick linemen, and we want to get them in space. Elam can throw a pretty ball, but we don’t want passing as our only option. We want balanced leaning towards a steady run game.”
On the defensive side, physicality will be the name of the game.
“This should be a fairly physical group,” Zoucha said. “Last year, the core pieces were very young, and then we took on some injuries. This group will have many snaps under their belt. The physical linebacker play should lead this group with solid coverage over the top.”
Simpson, Steven Teeters and Miller will be up front on the defensive line.
Miller will also see time at linebacker with Cruz, Bentley Moore and Ty Neal.
Aaron Stanfield, Dingman, Swarnes and Suschnick will be in the secondary.
“This team has been playing together for some time,” Zoucha said. “Putting their chemistry in place, they could have a run at doing some successful things. Returning QB1,RB1 and WR1 is something that doesn’t happen every year or at many places. This can be a year led by a group of young men who have all been to war with each other.”
Liberal opens the season on Aug. 29 at Drexel.
“We need to compete every play, regardless of score, location, time,” Zoucha said. “Can we compete? If the team comes to play to the best of their ability each snap, that then is turn success. If it’s 50% effort. 50% successful. We compete every play? 100% and so forth.”
