Football Game Preview: Liberty Redhawks vs. Monticello Panthers

The Liberty Redhawks will look to take advantage of their home field for the first time this season as they take on the Monticello Panthers at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams have had a bumpy ride up to this point with nine consecutive losses for Liberty and 12 for Monticello dating back to last season.

Liberty managed to slip by Spackenkill the last time these teams faced off, but didn't have those same answers this time around. The Redhawks lost 28-7 to the Spartans on Friday. The last quarter was a mere formality, since the game's final score was reached by the end of the third quarter.

Meanwhile, Monticello was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap on Thursday as they fell 26-20 to Dover. While losing is never fun, the Panthers can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' New York football rankings (they are ranked 499th, while the Dragons are ranked 227th).

Loss or not, Monticello got some senior leadership from Anthony Ortiz and Seth Jackson. Ortiz rushed for 68 yards and one TD, while Jackson rushed for 30 yards and one score. Ortiz really tore up the turf during one magnificent 70-yard run.

Liberty's defeat dropped their record down to 0-9. As for Monticello, their loss dropped their record down to an identical 0-9.

Liberty took a serious blow against Monticello when the teams last played back in September of 2024, falling 54-16. Can the Redhawks avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.