By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
The Salina Liberty will face one final test this afternoon when they take on the newly reformed Dodge City Law at 3pm with a chance to sweep the league the first time through.
After defeating Arlington, Wichita, Omaha, Wyoming and Sioux City, all by convincing margins, the 5-0 Liberty will turn their attention to the 2-1 Law, who were a late addition to the CIF this season.
Dodge City enters this game fresh off a 43-34 win over the Wichita Force while Salina should be looking fresh after their first bye week of the season.
“The bye came at the right time for us,” Liberty head coach Heron O’Neal said. “The guys were healthy and flying around in practice and I’m definitely happy with their attitudes this week. Everyone is playing for something bigger than themselves.”
While a Liberty win would mean that the team has defeated everyone in the CIF once, Coach O’Neal and his team aren’t letting themselves get comfortable less than halfway through the season.
“Teams are evolving and getting better as the year goes on,” he said. “You feel good that you’ve seen everybody but you still have to be prepared to put your best foot forward every week if you want to see the wins.”
Dodge City has hung their hat on a high powered passing attack this season, with two of the top five receivers in the league by yards per game in Zuri Davis and Torrance Carr, and former CIF rookie of the year in Ray John Ramsey at quarterback.
The Law lead the league with 191 passing yards per game, but have thrown a league worst three touchdowns in as many games.
Dodge City has also struggled with discipline this season, handing out the second most penalty yards in the league, something the Liberty have consistently taken advantage of.
The response of the Dodge City secondary will be a major key as the high flying Salina offense looks to maintain their league best 51 point per game pace, which is 20 points clear of the second best mark in the CIF.
“The battle in the secondary on both sides of the ball will be crucial in this game,” O’Neal said. “They have guys who played for major universities and they have a lot of talent at the skill positions so that will be fun to watch.”
Kickoff in Dodge City is scheduled for 3pm and as always games can be heard on KINA (910 AM or 107.5 FM).