Football Recap: Liberty Continues Home Dominance on Friday

Red Devils

Margin (Wins)

08/29/25 @ Southside	49
10/17/25 vs Chesnee	29
09/19/25 vs Walhalla	28
10/24/25 @ Landrum	25
09/05/25 @ Pickens	25

It can be hard to translate regular season success to the playoffs, but Liberty had no problem doing just that on Friday. Everything went their way against the Pelion Panthers as they made off with a 35-14 win. The result was nothing new for the Red Devils, who have now won seven games by 21 points or more so far this season.

Tanner Elrod went supernova, rushing for 85 yards and two scores. Another player making a difference was Zane Smith, who gained 90 total yards and a touchdown.

They were just one part of a punishing run game: Liberty was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 256 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 155 rushing yards in four consecutive matchups.

Liberty didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Chris Mable and Lavonte Henderson.

Despite the defeat, Pelion had strong showings from Tre Jackson, who gained 106 total yards and a touchdown, and Jaden Moore, who picked up 130 receiving yards. Moore showed off some serious burst, lighting up the secondary with a catch for 53 yards.

Liberty's victory was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 8-3. Those home wins came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 37.8 points over those games. As for Pelion, they have been struggling recently as they've lost four of their last five contests. That's put a noticeable dent in their 5-6 record this season.

Liberty is taking a road trip to take on Strom Thurmond at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The Red Devils' defense better be ready for this one: the Rebels have averaged an impressive 36.8 points per game this season. Pelion does not have any more games scheduled as of now.