Frisco Liberty knocks Rockwall-Heath from playoffs, 49-35

WYLIE. By J.J. Smith. Frisco Liberty’s defense intercepted three Kevin Rodgers passes in a row and recovered a fumble – all in the second half – breaking open an offensive shoot-out in which both quarterbacks passed for over 300 yards, and knocked Rockwall-Heath out of the Class 4A Region II playoffs, 49-35, Friday night at Wylie.

With the score tied 28-28 shortly into the second half, Heath fumbled on the Redhawks 37-yard line. Five plays later, Liberty’s Jay Ajayi scored his third touchdown of the night on a five-yard run down the middle, putting Liberty (6-5) up 35-28.

Beginning with the next Hawks possession, Liberty began its streak of three straight interceptions which prevented the Hawks from scoring but one more touchdown in the second half.

Despite his uncharacteristic four interceptions, Rodgers had a big night, completing 19 of 35 passes for 354 yards and three TDs to six different receivers. He also rushed six times for 48 yards and scored twice on one and 15 yard runs.

Hawks Ryan Peterson caught 5 passes for 120 yards and one three-yard TD, Clark Pope caught six passes for 102 yards and Tyler Harding grabbed three passes for 38 yards and one nine-yard TD. 

David Tanner caught one two-yard scoring toss and Cameron Wilson caught three passes for 28 yards.

The Hawks normally powerful rushing game was limited to 108 yards on 21 carries, with Dorian Lawry carrying nine times for 55 yards.

Redhawks running back Ajayi rushed for 123 yards on 17 carries, scoring on 40, 11 and five yard runs.

Liberty quarterback Brandon Brotzman threw three scoring passes while completing 22 of 38 passes for 354 yards and two interceptions.

Leading Redhawks receiver Malcolm Hill grabbed eight passes for 120 yards and one nine-yard TD.

The Hawks finished their season with a 7-4 record.

The Redhawks advance next week to play Lincoln.

In other playoff games involving District 10-4A teams, Highland Park outscored McKinney 56-38; Carrollton Newman-Smith clobbered Sherman, 56-35; and Richardson Pearce was gunned down by Dennison, 61-28.

SCORING:

Liberty            14  14    14    7     49

Heath                7   14    14   0      35

FLIB – Jay Ajayi 40 run (Connor Hirt kick)

RKHTH – David Tanner 2 pass from Kevin Rodgers (Trevor Pinkston kick)

FLIB – Cameron Brown 10 pass from Brandon Brotzman (Hirt kick)

RKHTH – Tyler Harding 9 pass from Rodgers (Pinkston kick)

FLIB – Ajayi 11 run (Hirt kick)

FLIB – Brown 15 pass from Brotzman (Hirt kick)

RKHTH – Ryan Peterson 3 pass from Rodgers (Pinkston kick)

RKHTH – Rodgers 15 run (Pinkston kick)

FLIB – Ajayi 5 run (hirt kick)

RKHTH – Rodgers 1 run (Pinkston kick)

FLIB – Pereese Joas 1 run (Hirt kick)

FLIB – Malcolm Hill 9 pass from Brotzman (Hirt kick)