Members of the Liberty High School football team are pictured during the Las Vegas Sun’s high school football media day at the Red Rock Resort on July 26, 2022. They include, from left, Colin Gregorio, AJ Fuimaono and Ethan Hilliard.
Friday, Aug. 26, 2022 | 11:24 p.m.
The Liberty High football team scored a touchdown with 26 seconds remaining tonight at Lone Peak of Utah to trim the deficit to one point.
Coach Rich Muraco had to make a decision: Attempt the extra point kick to tie the game and force overtime, or go for the 2-point conversion and the win.
The Patriots’ 2-point version attempt fell short when the running back was tackled near the goal line, but Muraco doesn’t regret the decision. The momentum, after all, was on Liberty’s side.
“We just wanted to end it right there,” Muraco said.
Liberty erased an early 13-0 deficit to bring a back-and-fair game in the fourth quarter.
Yes, the loss wasn’t what Liberty wanted. But the experience is everything Muraco hoped his team would get in traveling out of state.
“We were in a game for four quarters. The kids fell behind and then fought and clawed their way back,” he said.
Tyrese Smith connected with Andre Porter for the late scoring strike, Lendua Raiyawa kicked a pair of field goals, and Sonny Vitale had a touchdown run.
