PRZOH Team Previews: Olentangy Liberty Patriots

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>July is here, and that brings us to team preview season! Throughout the entire month of July and into early August, I will be releasing team previews to prepare everyone for the upcoming season and highlight key players to watch. Articles will be published daily, so be sure to check back to see if your favorite program is featured! In this article, we will highlight the reigning D1 state champions, Olentangy Liberty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Olentangy Liberty Patriots</strong></h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Head Coach: John Sansbury (18-10)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Last Season (14-2)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots took home their first football state championship in school history. Coming off a short but promising season in 2023, Olentangy Liberty knew they would have a great core to work with in 2024. They took advantage right away, earning an impressive 28-0 win vs Olentangy. Next week, they downed D4 powerhouse Glenville by two scores. After an impressive 31-0 win vs Gahanna Lincoln the next week, Olentangy Berlin would be the first team to draw blood, beating the Patriots 22-21 as they converted a 2-point conversion with less than a minute left in the game. It would take time for Liberty to regain as they would struggle against Dublin Coffman and lose their second game to Upper Arlington 31-28. After that, they were off to the races. It would take six weeks for them to face a team that could match up against them. A playoff rematch vs Upper Arlington was something they looked forward to, and they took care of the Golden Bears this time 17-13. In Historic Crew Stadium, Olentangy Liberty would be crowned Regional champions after an impressive 21-9 win over Pickerington North. Next for them were St. Edward who have won the past three D1 state championships. They took care of them 21-7 in what was a stunner around the state. In Canton, Olentangy Liberty had their chance to be crowned state champions, and they took it. Although underdogs vs Archbishop Moeller, Liberty relied on their veteran leadership and completeness as a team to win 28-14. They had a balanced offense that could take control of the game's tempo and rhythm. Their offense averaged 29 points per game, complementing their stifling defense, which allowed only 12 points per game. During their six-game playoff run, no team scored more than 14 points against the Patriots' defense. Many expected them to make a deep run into the playoffs, but Liberty pulled together for one of the more memorable title runs we have seen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Season Outlook</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 season will be a massive test for the Patriots. They have lost a lot of proven production from 2024 and will look to see the next crop of talent rise on the field this season. Coming into 2024, it was expected that we would see a step up from 2023, and now the roles will be reversed for a third-year head coach. Olentangy Liberty did a great job of maintaining momentum throughout the season and appeared to get stronger as the season progressed. With a younger and more raw roster than last season, it will be key for them to find a way to start fast right out of the gate to stay in top-end playoff seeding range in a competitive Region 3. The defense won Liberty a lot of games last year, but with several position groups looking brand new, it will be key for them to find the guys who can step up and fill the voids currently left open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB Andrew Leonard (Findlay)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB Jake Struck (Ohio State Lacrosse)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR Christian Moulton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL Charlie Donehue (Pitt)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL Landon Hunter (Dennison)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Players to Watch</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["949902"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6864e27a073b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grayson has been offered several offers throughout camp season and will be someone to watch out for. Primarily a running back, he will be the main option to replace Ohio State lacrosse commit Jake Struck. Grayson impresses with his quickness throughout the first level of the field. He has a twitch in his body when he picks a hole, making it hard to get down on the ground. He can make defenders miss and is generally a good mover. I'd like to see more reps from him as a pass catcher, but Grayson will cover a majority of the ground game this season. Defensively, Grayson will line up as a safety. Smart and disciplined is the name of his game, and his athleticism shines on that side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1211498"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6864e27a0734e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Liam has both guard and center reps under his belt. Last year, Liam created huge holes in the middle of the field at the center position. He may be undersized on paper, but he's physical and moves well on the field. He gets to the point of attack and can generate a lot of power. He is disciplined and is great at staying on queue and getting to his blocks on time. I'm excited to see what Liam can put together this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1702451' first='Alex' last='Leonard']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Olentangy Liberty","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6864e27a07463"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As his brother Andrew graduates, Alex gets to step in and be the head of the machine in 2025. He is just as good of an athlete as Andrew and can recreate some of the running aspects of the offense. As a passer, he works quickly with a swift release. He is accurate in his JV film, but I will need an in-person evaluation to fully judge. I am excited to see what Alex can do this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1186793"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68655149da3ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I love instinctive hybrid linebackers like Carter. He can fly around the box as a blitzer, a run defender, and can be a great off-ball zone defender. He's quick and can get to the ball-carrier with his speed and play recognition. As a senior on this defense, I would like to see Carter step up and be a huge voice for the youth in the program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ben Rucker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Olentangy Liberty","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6865563393c88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rucker can be an exterior rusher replacement for one of several great pass rushers from 2024. He has bend and can win battles his size says he can't. He's quick and can beat tackles with speed. Rucker will be someone to watch as he's flashed at times as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1164585"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-686554658ebca"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brock is a transfer from St. Francis DeSales. The size as a 2028 offensive line prospect is elite. Brock has been on several high-end college camps, getting great competition. Originally from Oklahoma, Allen didn't spend much time at DeSales, so we don't have a clear idea of how he will translate. However, considering his past success in camps, Brock could blossom into an incredible prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">More Names to Know</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1652598' first='Mason' last='Miller']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1703309' first='Jack' last='Rinehart']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1652459' first='Kaidan' last='Schmelmer']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1652458' first='Gabriel' last='Levin']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 K Carson O'Morrow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Schedule</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1702109,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/07/Liberty-Schedule.jpg?w=820" alt="" class="wp-image-1702109" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: <a href="https://x.com/OlibFootball/status/1892982047301414970/photo/1" target="_blank">X</a></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->