EARL WATT

   • Leader & Times

The Angry Red defense continued to lead Liberal to victory with a late pick six that secured a 19-8 win over Wichita Heights Friday in Wichita.

The Redskins started with a drive that ended with a 30-yard field goal by Ariel Gaytan, and the Angry Red defense kept Heights in check to make the 3-0 lead hold during the first half.

Liberal had a golden opportunity to extend the lead after recovering a Heights fumble inside the 40 yard line, but a Falcon interception gave the ball back on the next possession.

Liberal’s offense struggled to move the ball, and with less than four minutes to play in the first half, Bren Kappelmann prepared to punt from deep inside Liberal territory, but the kick was blocked, and the Falcons recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Heights went for tow and took an 8-3 lead.

Liberal fumbled on its next possession, but the Angry Red defense forced a three-and-out, and that gave the Redskins one last chance to score before half.

Kappelmann completed passes to the flats, and the Redskins moved the ball deep inside Heights territory, but with time running out, Liberal coach Marc Svaty opted for the 40-yard field goal attempt with four seconds remaining in the first half, and Gaytan’s kick was good to cut the Heights lead to 8-6.

The defense continued to get stops and give the Redskin offense a chance, and after Isaac Castaneda intercepted a Falcon pass, the Redskins were able to put together a touchdown drive that ended with a  three-yard dive into the end zone by Landry Fitzgerald, and the Redskins took a 12-8 lead.

But the Redskins couldn’t add to the lead, and Heights had chances to score, but the Angry Red defense continued to force punts.

Heights had the ball late in the fourth deep in Falcon territory when Evan Castillo intercepted a pass and returned it to the end zone for a touchdown and a 19-8 Liberal lead.

Heights had one last chance to score, but Castaneda intercepted his second pass of the game to end the threat, and the Redskins came away with the 19-8 win to move to 4-0 for the fourth year in a row.

The Liberal defense has not allowed a score in the first two games.

Liberal will travel to Dalhart Friday.