FINDLAY, Ohio — Liberty-Benton overview:
2023 Record: 9-2 (Made Playoffs)
Head Coach: Scott Garlock (9th year)
Top Returning Players:
Garrett Nealis, Senior K (1st Team All-BVC)
Seth Elchert, Junior WR (1st Team All-BVC; committed to Toledo)
Zach Elchert, Junior WR (1st Team All-BVC)
Brayden Lemire, Senior WR (2nd Team All-BVC)
Trevin Lieb, Senior P (2nd Team All-BVC)
CJ Barbara, Junior DL (2nd Team All-BVC)
Austin Collert, Junior LB (2nd Team All-BVC)
Will Granger, Junior OL (3rd Team All-BVC)
2024 Schedule:
WEEK 1 8/23 @ Ottawa-Glandorf
WEEK 2 8/30 vs. Columbus Grove
WEEK 3 9/6 @ McComb*
WEEK 4 9/13 @ Riverdale*
WEEK 5 9/20 vs. Elmwood*
WEEK 6 9/27 @ Arlington*
WEEK 7 10/4 vs. Pandora-Gilboa*
WEEK 8 10/11 @ Leipsic
WEEK 9 10/18 vs. Arcadia*
WEEK 10 10/25 @ Van Buren*
*Denotes Blanchard Valley Conference game
A stunning 21-17 loss to Highland in the opening round of the postseason last year is what Liberty-Benton is aiming to rebound from. 2013 marked the last time the Eagles lost in the first round at home.
"It's definitely a motivator because everyone on this team knows that we can do better," senior Garrett Nealis said. "It motivates us to try and be better than we were last year."
The past is the past though and this group is soaring forward. With four seniors on the roster, they'll rely heavily on a talented junior class highlighted by recent Toledo commit Seth Elchert.
"Last year, we weren't really expecting to lose that early in the playoffs. Coming down to the one-yard line is a horrible way to lose," the junior wide receiver said. "So whenever we're doing anything, we keep that in the back of our mind and just keeps us motivated."
This Fall provides a clean slate for LB but not an easy start. A rivalry game sets the tone in Friday's season opener against Ottawa-Glandorf, followed by tough tests against Columbus Grove and McComb (who combined to win 23 games in 2023).
No room to ease into the season, yet no matter who they face best believe last year's early exit guides this year's aspirations.
"We still have a lot of young kids playing. They're gamers and they're ready to go," head coach Scott Garlock said. "As long as we can stay healthy and be physical, we'll be all right."