By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Salina Liberty’s 2021 season will come full circle tonight as the team travels to Wichita to take on the 5-5 Force.
Wichita has improved greatly since falling to the Liberty 52-27 in the season opener.
After dropping five of their first seven CIF games, the Force have righted the ship and enter this game off back-to-back victories over Wyoming and Dodge City.
“They understand the scheme better and consistently make more plays on both sides of the ball now,” Liberty head coach Heron O’Neal said. “They have a new quarterback who has brought a spark to that offense and they’re much more explosive thanks to his mobility.”
With new signal caller Ed Crouch under center, the Force have won four of their last six games, evening out at 5-5.
This game will be a big one for Wichita, who currently sit on the hot seat as the four-seed heading into the final week of the season.
Dodge City, who could catch up to Wichita and Sioux City, will play last place Wyoming this week, adding to the intrigue of the CIF’s final slate.
For Salina, none of that is of any consequence as the Liberty have already secured the one-seed and home field throughout the playoffs but are no less interested in trying to close out their season with a win.
“We’ve achieved our first goal for the season and now we’re on to goal number two which is to win a championship,” O’Neal said. “Yes it’s a relief to have the one seed already taken care of but we’re going down to Wichita to win a football game.”
Kickoff between the Liberty and Force is scheduled for 7:05pm on Saturday night and as always games can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM) courtesy of Eagle Radio.