The Rancho Verde Mustangs will square off against the Liberty Bison at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.
On Thursday, Rancho Verde came up short against Paloma Valley and fell 20-13. The Mustangs have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Rancho Verde might have lost, but man, Jimmy Cruz was a machine: he rushed for 178 yards and one score while picking up 8.9 yards per carry. Cruz showed off some serious burst, turning on the afterburners on one carry for 56 yards.
Jae'Don O'Keith
| 09/26/25 @ Tahquitz | 2 |
| 08/28/25 vs Great Oak | 3 |
| 09/05/25 vs Murrieta Mesa | 3 |
| 08/22/25 @ Corona del Mar | 4 |
| 09/12/25 vs San Jacinto | 8 |
Rancho Verde didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Isaiah Gilliam and Jae'Don O'Keith. O'Keith also set a new season-high mark in total tackles with 11.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Liberty, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Friday. They breezed past JW North to the tune of 34-7 on Thursday. That looming 34-7 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Bison yet this season.
Rancho Verde better keep an eye on Trent Hallis. He was instrumental in Liberty's win, rushing for 100 yards on only ten carries, while also picking up 57 receiving yards.
Liberty was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 291 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since back in October of 2024.
Rancho Verde's loss dropped their record down to 2-6. As for Liberty, their victory ended a six-game drought at home dating back to last season and bumped them up to 3-5.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Rancho Verde has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 149.5 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Liberty struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 203.1 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's contest turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Rancho Verde was able to grind out a solid win over Liberty when the teams last played back in October of 2024, winning 24-13. Do the Mustangs have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Bison turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
