Liberty quarterback Tyrese Smith, left, celebrates with wide receiver Jayden Robertson (7) after Robertsons touchdown during the second half of a football game at Liberty High School in Henderson Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.
Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 | 10:51 p.m.
Jayden Robertson had a few notable plays tonight for the Liberty football team in a 24-9 regional semifinal victory against visiting Arbor View.
With Liberty clinging to an eight-point lead with about three minutes to play, Robertson caught a screen pass and maneuvered his way for a 30-yard touchdown and a two-touchdown Patriots’ advantage.
A few plays later, Robertson — now playing defensive back — hauled in an interception with about one minute remaining to seal the win.
And those plays likely weren’t his best.
Rather, it was the job he did defending Arbor View junior wide receiver David Washington, a four-star recruiting prospect and one of the top players in Las Vegas for the class of 2024. Washington was limited to just two catches as Robertson blanketed him the entire game.
“We put on our best guy on him and he did a good job,” Liberty coach Rich Muraco said. “Jayden Robertson is one of the most underrated players in town. He can play offense, defense and special teams. He does it all.”
The 5-foot-10 Robertson is about four inches smaller than Washington — but he didn’t back down. He spent all week watching film to learn Washington’s tendencies.
“I didn’t see him as a four-star. I saw him as a normal player and I just did my thing out there to cover him,” Robertson said.
It was a defensive battle in the first half as Liberty held a 10-6 lead at halftime. But the Patriots drove down the field on the initial drive of the second half and took a 17-6 lead on a touchdown run from Jeremiah Ioane.
The Liberty defense, with Robertson leading the way, did the rest. Arbor View was limited to three field goals from Jeau Vinatieri.
“They had a hard time scoring, so going up by two scores was big,” Muraco said.
Liberty advances to host defending state champion Bishop Gorman in next week’s regional finals. Gorman beat Desert Pines 41-3 tonight, marking the first time it has been scored on this season against a Las Vegas opponent.
Liberty will likely be a decisive underdog, but the Patriots do have some history on their side. They have never lost a home playoff game in the school's 20-year history, including upsetting Gorman in 2019 on the way to the program’s lone state championship.
“This is where we want to be. I want to play Bishop Gorman,” Muraco said.
