NV Program Preview: Liberty Patriots

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Liberty Patriots roll into 2023 with one of the most talented rosters in Nevada led by the #3-overall prospect in the state, Arizona-commit [player_tooltip player_id='811146' first='Landon' last='Bell']. The Patriots face a loaded non-league schedule that includes the #3 team in the country- St. John Bosco, one of the top teams in Hawaii- Saint Louis, and San Diego powerhouse- Cathedral Catholic. Crucial in-state matchups with Bishop Gorman and Arbor View will be games to watch down the road.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Schedule </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8/18 <strong>@</strong> St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8/26 vs. Saint Louis (Honolulu, HI)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/1 vs. Campbell (Ewa Beach, HI)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/8 vs. Coronado&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/15 <strong>@</strong> Bishop Gorman&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/22 vs. Cathedral Catholic&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9/29 vs. Desert Pines&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/6 <strong>@ </strong>Silverado&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/13 <strong>@</strong> Arbor View&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10/20 vs. Shadow Ridge</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Offense</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Liberty offense returns its leading passer and rusher from last season in QB [player_tooltip player_id='817705' first='Tyrese' last='Smith'] and RB [player_tooltip player_id='817731' first='Isaiah' last='Lauofo']. Smith is a toolsy QB with exceptional arm strength that can stretch the defense vertically, can navigate the pocket effectively, and make throws on the run. Lauofo was a high-volume rusher as a junior totaling 1300 yards and 11 TDs on 205 carries. He's added offers from Minnesota Duluth and Minot St. this offseason and figures to be one of the top senior RBs in NV this season. Arizona-commit [player_tooltip player_id='811146' first='Landon' last='Bell'] leads a strong pass-catching group along with senior ATH [player_tooltip player_id='817703' first='Jayden' last='Robertson'] and senior TE [player_tooltip player_id='811158' first='Jae' last='Beasley']. Bell's a high-level target with elite size and athleticism, Robertson's a standout playmaker in all three phases that picked up his first offer from Weber St. in June, and Beasley's a UNLV-commit with a solid TE receiving skillset. Senior LT [player_tooltip player_id='817713' first='George' last='Dragovich'] leads the way upfront alongside returning starting C [player_tooltip player_id='817742' first='Nick' last='Miller']. Both are strong candidates to pick up their first offers this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/landonebell/status/1671282769471873024?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/landonebell/status/1671282769471873024?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Defense</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defense will look to replace important pieces of last season's unit including 2024 OLB Ashtin Kekahuna-Lopes who transferred to St. John Bosco (CA) this offseason. Senior LBs [player_tooltip player_id='811158' first='Jae' last='Beasley'] and UNLV-commit [player_tooltip player_id='811153' first='Kahekili' last='Paaoao'] (PRZ NV's #2-ranked 2024 LB) provide athleticism and physical presence upfront. Senior OLB Emarion Jones is another athletic tackler with great closing speed and ability to rush the passer. Senior DE [player_tooltip player_id='817745' first='Kristian' last='Hitzeman'] and junior Derek Jones are two rising DL talents with speed and ability to set the edge. ATH [player_tooltip player_id='817703' first='Jayden' last='Robertson'] and senior S [player_tooltip player_id='817709' first='Ryden-James' last='Dacosin'] lead the secondary both providing instincts, ball-skills, and ability to create turnovers in coverage. Robertson and Dacosin combined for 8 INTs in the Liberty secondary last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kahekili1_/status/1647008062136520704?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kahekili1_/status/1647008062136520704?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->