Liberty
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Week 9 takeaways
What to take away from each result in rural West Tennessee in Week 9
Week 9 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
Early look at playoff races in each region
Who's in the playoffs, who's not, who's in contention for region championships
Top 10 teams after Week 8
Here's a look at the latest top 10 in rural West Tennessee
Week 8 Takeaways
What to take away from each result in rural West Tennessee in Week 8
Week 8 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
West TN Blitz top 10 after Week 7
Here's a look at the latest top 10 in rural West Tennessee
Week 7 Takeaways
What to take away from each result in rural West Tennessee in Week 7
Week 7 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
Week 5 Blitz
Your guide to this week's games across rural West Tennessee.
Week 4 Takeaways
What we took away from the results from Week 4
Takeaways from Week 3
What to take away from each result in rural West Tennessee in Week 3
Quick hits
The Crusaders pulled out of region play for a couple seasons last year so they could focus more on development and not having to play some of the top teams in the state that would’ve been in the same region with them. The strategy seemed to have worked as the Crusaders went 5-5 after winning their first four games after going five full seasons without a victory on the field.
Because they won’t be playing for the playoffs, region championship and postseason berths, some of the older players who would’ve been seniors this year opted to transfer to other schools in Jackson so they could potentially get the experience of playing in the playoffs before they graduate.
Those transfers simply create more opportunities for younger guys to come in and contribute almost immediately, which is what happened with the Crusaders last year as freshmen and sophomores had a lot of the starting roles on both sides of the ball.
That’s a big reason there are seven returning starters on the offensive side of the ball. It could’ve been a larger number had it not been for the transfers, but head coach Robert Gillard likes the experience and ability coming back this year.
This is the fourth school Gillard has been the head coach of. At every school he’s coached, there’s always been an improvement in number of wins and postseason advancement when applicable with the biggest improvement in wins coming last year at Liberty. This season marks the first time he’s been a head coach at a school for a third year.
Position groups
Offensive line — There are three returning starters in this group, including Brayden Hill, who started as a freshman. Joining Hill will be William Murrell, Kingston Swift, Cedarious Ross and Tyler Hawkins.
Backfield — Jayden Gross and Kylan Cole will be the running backs, with Emanural Hawkins at and Darren Jones at fullback. Donterious Marsh-Jones and Isaiah Mundy were competing earlier in the summer for the starting quarterback job.
Receivers — Amari Bird will be key at receiver since he’s a big play threat. Donterious Marsh-Jones also will probably split time at receiver. Jaylan Gross is a running back that is a versatile athlete the Crusaders will do a lot with, including having him catch the ball out of the backfield. Tavion Miller will help out here too.
Defensive line — William Murrell, Treandus Springer and Sedarius Ross will be the main guys trying to plug holes for the Crusaders up front.
Linebackers — Jayden Gross, Darren Jones and Khyler Watkins all got a lot of reps last year and will bring a lot of experience to the defensive side of the ball.
Secondary — Ayden Spain is entering his third year as a starter. Marsh-Jones will play more here this year than he did last year. Jayden Clark and Jyeal Mitchell will play a lot here too.
Special teams — Ayden Spain is the longsnapper. Jayden Gross is the punter. Jose Martinez will be the kicker, and Jayden Clark and Kylan Cole will share returning duties.
2026 stats
No stats yet this season. They appear here once a game's book has been read and checked.