EARL WATT
• Leader & Times
WICHITA — Down 21-20 with less than a minute to play, the Redskins faced a fourth-and-6 from midfield, and after Tevin Cotter completed a pass to Ismael Calderon over the middle for an 18-yard gain, the Redskins drove down to the 15 yard line before Cotter through a 50-50 ball to James Fieser. The Wichita South defender tipped the ball as Fieser fell to the turf, but the ball landed in Fieser’s lap for a touchdown catch, and the Redskins escaped with a 28-21 win.
Liberal’s offense struggled in the first half while the Titans put together an 80-yard touchdown drive and a 70-yard touchdown drive to take a 14-0 lead.
The Redskin offense still couldn’t sustain a drive midway through the second quarter, but the defense forced a South punt with less than four minutes to play in the first half. The Redskins got a hand on the punt, and it trickled short near the original line of scrimmage. Landry Fitzgerald scooped up the ball and evaded a pair of Titan tacklers on his way for a 30-yard touchdown return.
But South responded with a touchdown drive with only 1:23 to play before half.
Liberal finally had some success on offense with a 40-yard pass to Fieser followed by a 20-yard touchdown reception to Fieser to cut the lead to 21-14 at half.
Neither side sustained a drive in the third quarter, and Liberal coach Trevor Powers switched to a wishbone set, and the Redskins drove down behind strong runs from Landen McNabb to score. Liberal went for a two-point conversion that failed, and Liberal trailed 21-20.
But the defense forced a punt, and the Redskins went on a 12-play, 63-yard drive that ended with Fieser’s touchdown grab.
The Angry Red defense forced a long pass attempt, but Austin Dodge intercepted the attempt, and Liberal held on for the 28-21 victory to move to 2-0.
