The Basha Bears vs. the Liberty Lions - A Battle for the Championship
Offense: The Dynamic Duo of Broderick Vehrs and Noah Roberts
Broderick Vehrs, the 6-foot, 185-pound junior quarterback, has had a spectacular junior campaign. With 191 completions in 260 attempts (74%), he has thrown for 232 yards and two touchdowns in the semifinal win over ALA-Queen Creek. His ability to spread the ball beautifully to five different receivers, led by Arizona-signee Gio Richardson (53 catches, 929 yards, eight touchdowns), makes the Basha offense a force to be reckoned with. Noah Roberts, the sophomore running back, has also come into his own, with 1,042 rushing yards and 19 TDs. His explosive runs have been a key factor in the team's success.
The offensive line, led by Minnesota signee Nick Spence (6-6, 280), has provided excellent protection for Vehrs and opened up running lanes for Roberts. Together, they form a dynamic duo that has been unstoppable at times.
Defense: The Stopping Power of Eli Cramer-Cronin and Marc Duerson III
Junior linebacker Eli Cramer-Cronin is one of the state leaders in tackles with 169, showing his tenacity and ability to read the game. Sophomore Marc Duerson III is not far behind with 106 tackles. Their combined efforts on defense have been crucial in keeping opponents at bay.
Edge rusher Bleu Dantzler (Oregon State signee) and OL Samuel Garcia (New Mexico State) have also been key contributors on defense. Their presence has added to the team's overall defensive strength.
The Liberty Lions: A Tough Opponent with Their Own Stars
Senior QB Hayden Fletcher has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns, with 11 of them going to favorite target sophomore Braxton Huynh (60 catches, 1,032 yards). The Lions run by committee, but near the goal line, they give it to Dominic Lombardo (18 touchdowns), who has been a reliable option.
Liberty's top senior recruit is offensive tackle Nick Spence (6-6, 280), along with Colorado State-bound defensive lineman Caden Branston. Linebacker Hudson Dunn and safety Zeth Thues, an ASU commit, are top junior recruits. They bring a lot of talent and experience to the field.
Season Highlights and Rivalry
The Basha team has had a remarkable season, outscoring opponents 475-226. They have won eight straight games, with their only loss being a 31-28 game to California power Mission Viejo. The Liberty Lions, on the other hand, have won eight straight as well, with their last competitive game being a 32-29 win over Pinnacle on Oct. 11.
This game between the Basha Bears and the Liberty Lions is not just a championship game; it is a rematch of two close losses for the Bears. They have a score to settle and are determined to come out on top.
Stay tuned as this page will be updated with scoring plays throughout the game. Refresh the page for the latest update.