"Corn Country" Champs
One year after winning its first North Coast Section championship, the Liberty High football team delivered on its massive preseason hype and closed out a 13-1 season with a come-from-behind 19-17 win over Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth in the CIF Division I-A State Bowl Championship on Dec. 15 at Cerritos College. Enjoy these moments captured by SportStars freelance photographer, David Gershon.
Let The Butterflies Loose
Lions coach Ryan Partridge and the rest of the Lions stand stoically during the national anthem.
For Nicky
Liberty senior linebacker and leading tackler, Nicky Einess (7), stands alongside fellow captains Jay Butterfield (9), Tyerell Sturges-Cofer (4) and Sione Vaki (22). Einess was unable to play after suffering a concussion during the team's NorCal bowl win over Valley Christian-San Jose.
The Man
Liberty's success throughout the season featured many heroes, but the state bowl belonged Tyerell Sturges-Cofer. The senior running back rushed for 192 yards and all three Lions touchdowns in the victory.
Bartley Breakup
Senior defensive back Deizion Bartley successfully defends a pass. Sierra Canyon, which didn't rely heavily on the pass during the season, only mustered nine completions for 81 yards in the state bowl.
No Rush
Liberty quarterback Jay Butterfield cocks to throw as the Lions offensive line, including senior Josh McKey, pictured center, provide stellar protection against the Sierra Canyon pass rush.
Locked In
Rising sophomore defensive end Akili Calhoun watches action from the sideline. Calhoun was one of the heroes of the NorCal bowl victory when he sacked Valley Christian-San Jose quarterback Cory Taylor and forced a fumble that Darrion Bartley returned for the game-clinching score inside the game's final minute.
Liberty's Bell
Junior Brenden Bell looks for a seam during a kickoff return. Bell played in all three phases of the game for the Lions. Over the course of the season, he racked up more than 600 all-purpose yards and notched close to 50 tackles on defense.
Celebrating Six
Sione Vaki, left, embraces Tyerell Sturges-Cofer following one of Sturges-Cofer's three touchdown runs in the game.
Sione The Stopper
Senior wide receiver and free safety Sione Vaki, left, closes in on a Sierra Canyon ball carrier. Vaki had a relatively quiet game on offense in the state final, but led the defense with 12 tackles — his last of which stopped the Trailblazers short of the first down on a 4th-and-2. Sierra Canyon wouldn't get the ball again as Liberty was able to run out the final 3:55.
Clutch Catch
Senior receiver Adrik Lamar hauls in a critical first-down grab on a third down play late in the game. Tyerell Sturges-Cofer picked up one more first down four plays later and the Lions were able to go into victory formation.
"No Greater Feeling"
Ryan Partridge gets the full Gatorade bath after the final horn sounds on his team's championship victory.
Euphoria
Assistant coach Mark Butterfield erupts in excitement as the celebration moves to midfield. Butterfield is also the father to Lions' QB, Jay Butterfield.
Lion Hug
Senior lineman Josh McKey hugs coach Ryan Partridge in the immediate celebration.
For Corn Country
Ryan Partridge raises the state championship trophy and yells in triumph toward the Brentwood faithful who made the trip to Cerritos College in Norwalk.
Worth The Wait
Assistant coach Mark Stantz had a long tenure as the Lions head coach and an even longer one as the school's athletic director. His emotions were evident as he watched the team celebrate the program's first even state bowl title.
Champions
Liberty High's first CIF State Bowl Champion squad.