Football honors Armed Forces

Americans have been blessed with more freedom than any other nation in the world thanks to the selfless sacrifices of those charged with the defense of this nation. The 16,441 fans at Saturday’s Military Appreciation football game honored those men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. In like fashion, the Flames 40-14 victory was played in much of the same manner as our boys on the frontlines.

Shock and awe
In 2003, when the United States declared war on terrorism, they employed a military concept of throwing haymakers early and with such force and display of power that the psychological effects were often more devastating than the actual physical damage.

General Danny Rocco told his men he wanted to start this game with a bang. Senior defensive back Danny Broggin received the opening kickoff at Liberty’s 15-yard line and marched it back 85 yards for the touchdown. Liberty, 7, Gardner-Webb, 0, in 13 seconds.

“Broggin gave us the energy. We needed to start fast, and you can’t start any faster than that,” Rocco said.

Blitzkrieg was a tactic used largely by the third Reich in WWII. A massive onslaught of heavy armor, surrounding and overwhelming the enemy.

The early lead gave Liberty’s defense the shot in the arm it needed for the game. Gardner Webb’s first drive resulted in a touchdown, evening the game at 7-apiece, but the Flame’s defense dug in and came out victorious, holding Gardner-Webb to only 14 points.

“I thought we came out here and played pretty good defense most of the game. Defensively we may have played championship football,” Rocco said.

Senior linebacker Kyle O’Donnell led the team with 10 tackles (6 solo 1 TFL), making him the leading tackler in five of the last seven contests.

Broggin picked off Gardner-Webb quarterback Chandler Browning, and defensive linemen Asa Chapman, Terry Adams and Patrick Bannon relentlessly rushed the quarterback, forcing bad throws and allowing the linebackers to pick apart the Bulldogs’ offense.

Attrition
A war of attrition comes down to sheer numbers and determination. It’s the archetypal blow-for-blow, toe-to-toe warfare.
While the Flames’ defense stymied Gardner-Webb’s injury-riddled roster and neutralized threats in wide receiver James Perry III and running back Patrick Hall, Liberty’s offense found themselves in a war of attrition with Gardner-Webb’s defense.

After the initial Broggins shock and awe, Liberty’s offense was met by a Bulldog defense that was bending but not breaking.

“We were not working in rhythm, we were not in sync, and we did not execute the way we are capable of executing,” Rocco said.

Liberty’s drives stalled in the redzone. Incomplete passes, fruitless runs and nagging penalties forced Rocco to call upon kicker Matt Bevins for a Big South record-tying four field goals.

“It hasn’t necessarily been our MO,” Rocco said. “You’ve got to be able to control and possess the football and finish drives in the redzone.”

Bevins holds the Big South record for field goals in his career (49). His contribution Saturday gave Liberty the edge they needed to separate them from Gardner-Webb. Attrition won.

Fire for effect
Firing for affect is a principle just as American as Chevrolet, Marilyn Monroe and Texas. The battle has been all but won and the enemy is in retreat and the artillery still has ammo. Fire for effect.

The icing on the cake, the gravy on the potatoes, the cherry on the sundae came in the first drive of the fourth quarter.

Liberty was up 33-14 with 12 minutes to go in the fourth. A comeback was possible, but very improbable. The war needed to be ended.

Mike Brown launched a 56-yard bomb to Chris Summers on a seam down the sideline for the sealing touchdown. Liberty walked away from the engagement, 40-14, the ‘W’ safe and guns smoking.