By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
After four weeks of toiling in the basement of the AF1, the Salina Liberty put all the pieces together on Saturday night, collecting a convincing 47-32 victory over the Oregon Lightning.
Newly signed quarterback Rakeem Cato shone brightest in this game, ending the Liberty’s quarterback woes to the tune of an 8-15 day with 92 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
Wideouts Ed Smith and Malik Honeycutt benefited greatly from the change under center, with Honeycutt hauling in six catches for 59 yards and three touchdowns, and Smith bringing in six for 33 yards and two scores.
After a long Oregon drive that put the Lightning on top early, Cato demonstrated his efficiency, delivering a 14-yard touchdown pass to Ed Smith in his very first snap in a Liberty uniform.
Oregon would strike back on a wild drive, but the Liberty blocked the PAT and responded on Cato’s second TD of the day, this time to Honeycutt, to take their first lead of the day.
After forcing a turnover on downs, Salina had less than a minute to score before halftime, and once again Cato delivered, finding Honeycutt in the back of the end zone as time expired.
The Liberty picked up right where they left off in the third quarter, extending the lead to 14 on a 31-yard bomb to Honeycutt in the back corner of the end zone.
Oregon did respond with a touchdown pass of their own from Dalton Cole to Bryce Goggin, but the Liberty defense tightened the screws from there, forcing two huge stops to seal the deal.
With this result, both teams move into a tie for sixth place with the Washington Wolfpack at 1-4.
Salina will hit the road for back-to-back games at Billings and Albany, while the Lightning return to Oregon to host Washington next Friday.